When I first read the story written by David Silva below, I thought to myself, someone in the Wood Streets is having the same problem. Then I looked at the date the story was actually written – October 4, 2007, 10 years to this day. Looks like we’ve come full circle (and gone nowhere). I found out that David has since passed away, but I can only guess that the drug dealing in his neighborhood continues. Why you may ask? Because my neighbors and I have exhausted all government resources to deal with this issue (houses of ill-repute) for over three years, and nothing has been done. From the City Council, to the Mayor, to the County of Riverside – Social Services, Riverside Police Department, Code Enforcement, Animal Control, etc. Well, David’s story is our story. The story ends with good homeowners and renters giving up and moving on. Giving up really, on the City of Riverside: the City of Arts and Innovation, and Crime and Homelessness.

But it is not only drugs in our neighborhood, it’s prostitution. Sex, Drugs and Rock N’ Roll: I guess if you buy the drugs and sex, the rock n roll, or rap music, is comped. Yep folks, it’s happening in one of the most sought after, historic neighborhood places to live in Riverside, the Wood Streets. Where’s law enforcement? They are ghosts and their cars are ghost cars, except for their taxpayer paid take-home vehicles. What we have is a nuisance folks, a quality of life issue, and maybe something more one day. We couldn’t take it anymore, so we filed a $10,000 small claims nuisance suit against the owner of the property…. and we won. At least maybe we can profit too now.

We have children in our neighborhood who cannot come out, women who are harassed and intimidated, and neighbors who have been threatened. My next door neighbor yelled at a vehicle running a stop sign in front of their house; when the vehicle did finally stop, they displayed a revolver. Neighbor called RPD …..RPD simply said, “file a report.” Most neighbors are now protecting themselves. So up go the security cameras, it’s time to adopt a guard dog, and carry a club while walking at night. It’s the return of the Wild West.

Chief Sergio Diaz said the following when he first began his employment with the City of Riverside:

“Respect for the community, respect for other officers, respect for ourselves is going to be the byword by which I will attempt to lead the city of Riverside over the next few years” – Chief Sergio Diaz

Sorry Diaz, you have lost the respect of our community. They won’t say it, but I will. They won’t say it because they are afraid to do so. Why is that? These homeowners actually feel they will be retaliated against somehow. Is it because we have seen Sergio retaliate against the community and city leadership before? Maybe that’s the reason you were not promoted to higher ground in the LAPD.

We have a home business: everyone who knows us, knows our story. As a home business, we are required to have a business license; but if you are running an illegal business in drugs and prostitution, you don’t. We’re told it’s not worth the time and effort by RPD to investigate those – they’ll just be back at doing business the following week. Law-abiding homeowners however are a different story: easy pickings for the City, and ensures those fat cat pensions are paid through fines and liens on your property. So what is the resolution? What do we do as a community? We’ve increased the City payload for, “public safety and vital services,” with Measure A and Measure Z, so what gives? Just what the heck did we create those Ward Action Teams for?

We’ve had two honey oil explosions and two fentanyl bust in our neighborhood, one with no arrest according to the PE within the past year. Our friends in the extended Wood Streets tell us of other, “houses of ill-repute,” next to them. Between the criminals and the homeless, it’s beginning to resemble, “Zombieland,” ’round these parts, only without Bill Murray for comedic relief.

Why has RPD failed us, and is that failure due to leadership of our Chief of Police, Sergio Diaz?

And so we thought, law enforcement and the City doesn’t care if you are selling drugs and pimping … as long as you are doing it quietly. That is the message they are sending the community: ‘if you can’t beat them, join them.’ We are facetiously suggesting to all our neighbors to sell ‘drugs,’ because it’s easy, profitable, and the City seemingly cannot do anything about it. The Wood Streets can become the City’s new Red Light District – now there’s Innovation for you! One neighbor told me they can only depend on three people in Wood Streets these days: themselves, Smith & Wesson. Hello San Bernardino, and thank you Councilman Mike Gardner, Mayor Rusty Bailey and Chief Sergio Diaz! Hell, it seems that the Feds are doing a better job of drug enforcement in the City of Riverside than RPD.

And so we offer you the tale of Riverside resident, David Silva, and remind you that the more things change in the ‘Ole River City, the more they stay the same…because we keep re-electing the same dopes and their protege.

Open drug dealing in a quiet Riverside neighborhood is perfectly ignorable if you’re the police–but if you’re a resident?

The neighbors to the right of us are moving, which bothers me like you wouldn’t believe. Good neighbors are hard to come by, and these folks–a couple and their three small children–were good neighbors. My wife talked to the husband, who confirmed what we already knew: The family was moving to get away from the drug dealers.

If it were just he and his wife, they’d try to stick it out, he said. But they had kids to think about, and the dealers were a problem that wouldn’t go away. They’d tried getting the city to do something, but nothing had been done and there was every reason to believe nothing would continue being done. For all practical purposes, our little corner of central Riverside had been ceded to the drug trade. No one at City Hall seemed to care, and the Riverside cops were invisible.

Was the husband bitter about any of this?

“I’m selling to the worst buyer I can find,” he said. “For every car the buyer agrees to park on the grass, I’m dropping the price $10,000.”

From what we could tell, the plight of the neighbors to the right of us affected the neighbors to the left of us not at all. Those neighbors, who we refer to as “the dealers next door” to distinguish them from our other neighbors, don’t care about quality of life or property values, and they sure as hell don’t care about who lives next to them. These neighbors–a constantly shifting assortment of parents, adult siblings, aunts, uncles and assorted nephews and nieces–appear to care about only one thing: making money as fast as they can by selling drugs to anyone who wants them.

With an invisible police department and a city hall that can’t be bothered, business is booming.

Like casinos and 7-Elevens, drug houses are a 24-hour enterprise, and the enterprise next door is no exception. Every hour of every day, the local tweakers beat a path to our neighbors’ door. My wife and I hear them as we climb into bed at night and we hear them when we get up in the morning, and if you’re wondering how we can tell it’s them with the windows closed and the curtains drawn, then you’ve never lived next door to speed dealers. Let me describe it for you: First you hear the shuffling shoes of the sleep deprived and calcium depleted, followed by the nervous whistle from the sidewalk, then the murmured hand-off of cash and poison ( “mumble-mumble-thanks, dude” ), and then a more hurried shuffle away from the scene of the crime. From start to finish, it sounds like this: shuffle-shuffle-whistle-mumble-mumble-“thanks, dude”-shuffle-shuffle. Twenty-four hours a day. Seven days a week.

Sometimes I’ll take my dog out for a late-night piddle on the front lawn, and find I’ve stepped right into the middle of a drug score. A dealer neighbor and his tweaker client look up startled, cash and baggie disappear in a flurry into pockets, and then they mill about looking at their shoes while my dog finishes his business so I can go back inside. Once, I stepped out with the dog and found myself in the middle of what appeared to be a skinhead reunion–six or seven muscular shitheels with Iron Cross tattoos who didn’t startle or mill, but, instead, stared at me with dead eyes until I scooped up my still-peeing dog and stepped back into the house.

It hasn’t always been thus. When my wife first told me she suspected something amiss next door, my reaction was disbelief. The street we live on is–was–fairly tight-knit, with neighbors looking out for one another’s property and most of us fairly aware of one another’s business. We know, for example, that the old man across the street, two doors down, is a contractor whose daughter died in a terrible car accident 10 years back, and that the neighbor on our side of the street, three doors to the right, is a former gang banger who renounced his ways when his child was born and now lives the straight life driving a tow truck–if driving a tow truck can be called a straight existence. Someone would have had to be insane to deal on this block, I reasoned. The neighbor across the street, two doors to the left, was a Riverside cop who frequently parked her squad car in her driveway, for Christ’s sake.

More than that, the dealers next door were a part of this blue-collar community; they’ve lived here longer than we have. The older kids went to the same school as my stepson. We know them by name.

As much as I wanted to hope for the best, that our neighbors were just incredibly popular people whose friends happened to be jittery insomniacs, it soon became impossible to deny the obvious. The dealers next door were simply too blatant about it. I could ignore the round-the-clock comings and goings and the neighbors’ increasingly odd behavior, such as washing their cars and mowing the lawn at four in the morning. But I couldn’t ignore the cash and the baggies and the skinhead conventions and the 16-year-old girls passed out on the lawn.

Finally, I did what any Riverside police or city official could have done had they cared enough to bother: I walked outside, grabbed the first medium-sized tweaker I saw, and asked him where I could score some speed. He immediately pointed to my neighbor’s front door.

“Don’t tell anyone I told you, OK?”

Of course, I wouldn’t, I told him. And the truth is, at the time, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do next. I hated the notion of reporting my neighbors to the cops. It just went against my blood. I come from a large family whose sons and daughters are geniuses at getting in trouble. My uncle was a pallbearer at John Gotti’s funeral; my father spent two years on the run from the FBI for a botched store robbery. When I was a kid, running to my mom when my brother hit me meant getting punished for being a rat.

“I’m not a rat,” I told my wife, who sighed and pointed out that I was, in fact, a journalist, meaning that I ratted for a living. Still, I advised caution.

“Just let it play itself out,” I said. “We’ve got a cop living across the street, and these idiots are dealing in the open. They’ll get busted without any help from us.”

Three months and about a kilo’s worth of drug deals later, I began to see the flaw in my logic. With a cop living on our block, the Riverside PD apparently feels we’re already covered. No one– no one – –patrols our street. Sure, the dealers next door do their business in the open. But so does the guy who goes up and down the block selling corn out of a stolen shopping cart. No one busts him either.

This new awareness, that a cargo plane full of Afghan heroin could land on our lawn and the cops wouldn’t notice, came right at the same time one of the dealers’ regular tweaker clients was spotted marching up and down our block with a butcher knife in his hand. It was time to get serious. Back in the day, none of my people would have ever dreamt of running to the police. But I had to accept that, back in the day, my people would have simply thrown the dealers in the back of a van and taken them for a long drive in the woods. I’m not the woodsy type, so I dropped a dime instead.

The call was routed to what the police receptionist described as an undisclosed location ( where, presumably, Riverside’s crack narcotics unit discusses drug policy with Vice President Cheney ), and answered by a sergeant, who promised me he’d look into the matter. When a month passed and nothing happened, my wife placed several calls to Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge, who returned none of them until she left the following message: “Yeah, I’m calling again about the drug dealers next door. You might also be getting a call from my husband, who, by the way, is a journalist whose friends include reporters from the L.A. Times and KFWB and a producer for Fox News.”

That call was returned in five minutes, and resulted in Loveridge sending one of his aides to meet with us. The aide, a diminutive young fellow who wisecracked that he’d seen it all in Riverside but whose baby fat caused us to doubt that sincerely, listened carefully to our complaints and took notes and promised he’d look into the matter.

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, and if the narcotics sergeant and the mayor’s aide were looking into the matter, they weren’t looking next door. We called several times to check on the status of the case, and, depending on who we spoke with, were told that police had raided the house and found nothing, that the matter was still “being looked into,” or to call back on Monday because Riverside’s crack narcotics unit didn’t work weekends.

I work from home, and if the home next door had been raided, it was a masterwork of stealth. To be fair, though, I suppose the raid could have taken place while I was in the bathroom.

Months passed. The seasons came and went. Downtown, City Hall proudly unveiled its ( now ) $1.3 billion Riverside Renaissance Initiative, in which 30 years worth of public improvements would be built in five years. Next door, the dealers put in a drive-through, clearing out their garage so their customers could breezily pull in and out for fast and friendly service. Instead of “shuffle-shuffle-whistle,” we now heard “vroom-vroom-honk-honk.”

Here at home, I began pushing my wife for permission to buy a shotgun.

The city of Riverside is, as you read this, flinging itself headlong into massive debt in a balls-out effort to transform itself into an upscale shopping and high-end residential paradise. Meanwhile, the mayor and the Riverside Police Department are flummoxed on what to do about a single family committing class-E felonies on the sidewalk in broad daylight. This doesn’t inspire confidence in the city’s ability to get a job done.

In fact, my wife and I lost so much confidence that we’ve also decided to move. We’re looking around, and when we find a place that cares enough to enforce the law, we’re taking our dogs, our cats, and our taxable income, and leaving.

Are we bitter about this? All I’ll say is that when we sell, we’re giving the dealers next door first right of refusal. – DAVID SILVA, AUTHOR

“I want to live in a society that people can voice unpopular opinions because I know as result of that a society grows and matures,” – Hugh Hefner

MISSING JERRY:

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST, “NEGATIVE,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “REPREHENSIBLE,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “FILTHY,” “VILE,” “SICK,” “PERVERTED,” “DEFAMATORY,” “STUPID,” “PATHETIC,” “DESPICABLE,” “DISAPPOINTING,” “BELOW THE BELT,” “A NEW LOW,” “SHOCKING,” “OFFENSIVE,” “OBNOXIOUS,” “INAPPROPRIATE,” “HURTFUL,” “MEAN SPIRITED,” “DISTASTEFUL,” “EMBARRASSING,” HORIFFIC,” “SLANDEROUS” “FIT TO BE VIEWED FROM THE REAR” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! YES WE ADMIT WE OUR ALL OF THAT AND MORE, WHICH IN CURRENT TERMS IS KNOWN AS “UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT.” TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACLU. RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. … AGAIN, THANK YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! CONTACT US: thirtymilescorruption@hotmail.com

This last week, I attended the meeting of the Public Safety Committee and watched a presentation given by Police Chief Diaz on RPD’s Threat Assessment Team.

First, let me say there was no staff report attached to this item on the agenda. While this is not an uncommon practice, it can be a technique by staff to discourage thoughtful analysis by elected officials and the public. Decision makers can only make decisions based on information presented to them. Let me give another example that no report or incomplete report can cause. Last year, Parks placed an item to replace flooring in a community center. In the item staff report, there was no discussion on total square foot needed, cost per square foot being proposed, projected life expectancy of material being selected, or possible alternative choices. The report was incomplete and should have been sent back to staff for revision. We have professional staff, who are paid good money, and council/decision makers shouldn’t accept incomplete reports upon which council is suppose to make decisions.

At the Safety committee, the Chief made a presentation, during which he included a short video of an actual first shooter event at a school board meeting in Florida a few years ago. It was a very dramatic video which showed a disgruntled husband of a laid off school employee, pull out a hand gun, order everyone out except except the board. After a rambling discussion, during which the superintendent tried to reason with the gun man (by saying “if you are going to shoot anyone, shoot me, but let everyone else go”, a bad strategy as the gun man at that point level his gun at the man and fired). The gun man, then fired at several of the board members, before someone from the left started shooting the gun man until he dropped to the ground, and the video ended.

It was a horrific video that left the committee members and audience with the impression that we had all just witnessed a horrific mass murder. And this is a problem.

I looked this event up and found that the only person shot and the only person to die that day, was the gun man himself. As dramatic as the video seemed, with the superintendent falling over with the first shot, the gun man missed with every shot fired. While gun man was shot several times by a security guard, the gun man died from a final self inflicted wound.

I believe the Chief misused this video in a calculated effort to shock the Committee members into supporting his Assessment Team.

Living in Southern California and with modern media who live by the motto, “if it bleeds, it leads”, it’s easily for us to believe first shooter events are common and that we need to empower our local law agencies to take extraordinary measures to anticipate and prevent such incidents. Certainly, at the Federal level, we have seen the creation of the NSA and the possible abuse of personal privacies. But what are the actual statistics on first shooter events? What are the actual risks and what are reasonable precautions?

It turns out the FBI prepared a recent study addressing those exact questions and I think the results are worth consideration.

A quick view of the study, seems to indicate, shootings at non-military, governmental settings, for the entire U.S., between 2000-2013, was about 1.5 per year. (I could be wrong, as I was looking at it late at night, half a sleep). Of the shootings covered, they broke down the reasons and situations, and such. Bottom line, I don’t think the risks warrant approving our local police to engage NSA tactics against city employees or citizens.

It was bothersome, that the Chief’s presentation didn’t discuss stats on actual risks. He mentioned the City Hall shooting from several years ago and the Dorman shooting. Both those incidents were horrific, but statistically, they are anomalies. They are not examples of everyday threats.

Should we prepare? Yes. We should do training and have policies in place. But should we green light some sort of surveillance program by our law enforcement agency, without safeguards and supervision by civilian side of government? I think this would be dangerous and open to abuse.

I think the Chief was being manipulative and should be called out for what he did. We have a Chief who is known for his strong personality, and it is important for our council and City Manager to be be cognizant of this fact and to provide provide appropriate oversight and counterbalance.

I am concerned this Threat Assessment Team, under the right conditions, be abused to spy on and harass city employees and citizen critics of the city. We have seen evidence of spying and surveillance on recent past years by the City Manager. Hudson admitted in a PE article, that he was reading council emails with a deputy city attorney (emails between his bosses and their legal counsel, an extraordinary admission). I implore you to put in place safe guards.

Respectfully,

Kevin Dawson

Ward 2

Again Chief Diaz seems to miss the point, again leaving question of his hiring under former City Manager Brad Hudson who had a criminal background in reference to credit card fraud as a teen.

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST, “NEGATIVE,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “FILTHY,” “SICK,” “PERVERTED,” “STUPID,” “PATHETIC,” “DESPICABLE,” “DISAPPOINTING,” “BELOW THE BELT,” “A NEW LOW,” “SHOCKING,” “OFFENSIVE,” “INAPPROPRIATE,” “HURTFUL,” “MEAN SPIRITED,” “DISTASTEFUL,” “EMBARRASSING,” HORIFFIC,” “SLANDEROUS” “FIT TO BE VIEWED FROM THE REAR” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACLU. RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVLY EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE (WE BELIEVE THIS WILL END SOON, SINCE THE FOCUS IS NOW ON THE IMPROPRIETIES OF MR. “Z”. WE TRIED TO TELL YOU, BUT NOBODY LISTENED), AND DON’T FORGET WE ARE PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… A STRATEGIC LEGAL MANEUVER THAT CAN BE DONE ONLY IN RIVERSIDE WITHOUT A CONTRACT… AGAIN, THANK YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

On April 13, 2015, The Department of Justice for the State of California sent back the following response letter, to the letter below, which indicates the concern of how RPD Law Enforcement, under Chief Sergio Diaz may have abused the CLETS system, by sharing employees/residents restricted information with City of Riverside executes and personal. The Assistant Bureau Chief, Keith Dann, points out that the Department of Justice takes allegations of potential misuse of CLETS very seriously and will handle this matter pursuant to the CLETS Polices, Practices and Procedures.

It has long been common knowledge that the city has been a hostile place to work if you aren’t ethically-challenged and report wrongdoing. Just for the record, I’m not just stating this to be dramatic, but to express a truth which has yet to be played out. What we’re beginning to understand now is the extent that the city was or is willing to go to use public resources in order to cover-up its shameful acts. The courageous few, who stuck their necks out to protect the taxpayers and ratepayers of Riverside, had their lives turned upside down by the municipal mafia, under the direction and protection of former Riverside City Attorney Gregory Priamos. Now currently Council for the County of Riverside.

Who amongst the other City insiders were the other players in this game of deceit? Further, was the law enforcement telecommunication system known as CLETS (California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System) used as a tool for defamation and retaliation by former Human Resources Director Rhonda Strout, current Human Resource Director Brenda Diederich and other department heads, thus violating these employees rights to privacy? How about the coup d’état, the Chief of Police, Sergio Diaz: how was he involved, because the CLETS system as we currently know it is solely a law enforcement tool?

This secret organization was unbeknownst to even the Human Resources Board, who supposedly reviews HR policies. They demanded to know more about it! It was even unbeknownst to the Community Police Review Commission, who supposedly reviews police policies! It was also unbeknownst to certain City Council members, who supposedly are first in line to receive information before the above-mentioned boards and commissions. Hold onto your hats, because we get the feeling this story will be explosive.

TMC has been told this secret panel which is being financed by the taxpayer, is under the guidance of a former Secret Service agent consultant, that investigates whistle blower employees within the city of Riverside in an attempt to intimidate and discredit them.

As of this date, Riverside Chief Sergio Diaz has yet to respond to the Department of Justice, leaving questions as to why he has refused to be compliant, and what seems to be “dancing around the issues as seen above!” Many in the community who are taxpayers continue to ask the question as to why the City has continued to condone his irreverent behavior, and why he continues to double dip into the coffers of the Riverside Taxpayer. Diaz again seems to be only concerned with Diaz, as opposed to the concerns of the Riverside Community.

RIVERSIDE FORGOTTEN: THE J.F. BACKSTRAND BUILDING ON SIXTH AND MAIN MARCH 27, 1940

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST, “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “FILTHY,” “SICK,” “PERVERTED,” “STUPID,” “PATHETIC,” “DESPICABLE,” “DISAPPOINTING,” “BELOW THE BELT,” “A NEW LOW,” “SHOCKING,” “OFFENSIVE,” “INAPPROPRIATE,” “HURTFUL,” “MEAN SPIRITED,” “DISTASTEFUL,” “EMBARRASSING,” HORIFFIC,” “SLANDEROUS” “FIT TO BE VIEWED FROM THE REAR” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACLU. RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVLY EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE (WE BELIEVE THIS WILL END SOON, SINCE THE FOCUS IS NOW ON THE IMPROPRIETIES OF MR. “Z”. WE TRIED TO TELL YOU, BUT NOBODY LISTENED), AND DON’T FORGET WE ARE PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… A STRATEGIC LEGAL MANEUVER THAT CAN BE DONE ONLY IN RIVERSIDE WITHOUT A CONTRACT… AGAIN, THANK YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS! WE JUST CAN’T SPELL! EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT BY CONTACTING US AT: THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

CLICK THE ABOVE IMAGE FOR HD EFFECT! (THANKS TO DONALD HERMAN COLLINS GALLEGOS FOR THIS FINE PIECE OF ART).

Riverside Residents demand pay back! Don’t let the door kick you on the way out, Scott!

FORMER PUBLIC UTILITIES MANAGER, DAVE WRIGHT’S LETTER OCTOBER 17, 2014 LETTER REVISITED, ADDRESSING THE WATER CONSERVATION ISSUE:The question remains that he left the City of Riverside as a tornado. Did he see the writing on the wall? But he came back from his plush job with the Southern Nevada Water Authority, to bring his opinion regarding City of Riverside water issues! Residents are asking why? Is the City of Riverside not telling us the whole story of the residents rights to water? Does David Wright have a conscious? Is it disturbing him?

OpinionDAVID H. WRIGHT: “RIVERSIDE WATER FOR RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT”:
By DAVID H. WRIGHT / Contributing Writer
Published: Oct. 17, 2014 Updated: 4:44 p.m.
Over a century ago, Riverside’s founders obtained local water resources to provide for their agricultural needs. Water utilization has changed over the last hundred years as Riverside has become more suburban.
However, those water rights and resources continue to provide Riverside with enough water to meet the needs of all water customers of Riverside Public Utilities, plus an additional water supply available for planned growth and economic development. (Water that serves the Orangecrest and Mission Grove areas comes from Western Municipal Water District and those customers cannot be served by Riverside Public Utilities.)
Riverside’s water resources are all from local supplies, so droughts that affect imported water from Northern California or the Colorado River often do not affect Riverside.
Decades of snowfall on local mountains are the major driver for Riverside’s water resources, and Riverside continuously and successfully monitors and defends those water rights. Wells are pulling from depths lower than average right now, but local snowpack melts annually into these significant groundwater basins each year.
Over the last several decades, Riverside has also obtained the rights to treated, or recycled, water that is released in the Santa Ana River.
Riverside does not have the current customer demand to require the use of this water.
However, Riverside is looking at the eventual utilization of this recycled water as customer demand grows.
Recycled water comes primarily from water used inside the home so even reduced landscaping water use due to a local drought does not have a measurable impact on this recycled water supply.
Riverside has the opportunity to utilize this recycled water and RPU is developing specific plans for a system to distribute this water where it can be most economically and effectively used. Utilizing groundwater and recycled water supplies, Riverside has adequate water to meet the needs of planned customer growth.
Community growth and economic development have and always will be issues that require a significant amount of public discussion to arrive at appropriate decisions. The compromise that develops is usually the best for everyone in the community, not just those involved in the targeted development.
Significant planning and community impacts are studied, as they should be, to ensure that all aspects are considered.
Water use should be one of those issues, and it is already included when reviewing the impact of any new development. Adequate water supplies exist for anticipated economic development in Riverside.
So comments stating there is not enough water for future growth are an emotional, not rational, response.
Conservation and efficient water use are still very important for Riverside and all water users.
Conservation must include efforts that reduce wasteful water use and utilize more appropriate landscape plantings, regardless of future growth.
Periodic droughts have occurred over the past centuries and will continue in the future.
Luckily, Riverside is able to rely on massive underground water basins to carry the city through dry years. Water is a precious resource that should not be wasted but used to sustain life and provide for a vibrant community.
With responsible water use, Riverside has adequate water supplies to meet increased customer demand for decades to come.David H. Wright is the former general manager of the Riverside Public Utilities.

Was this all about the Purple Pipe which didn’t benefit the taxpayer’s of the City of Riverside and was squashed! Only to reveal it’s ugly head in our Sewer Bill?

WHAT DID DAVE WRIGHT NOT SAY IN HIS ARTICLE, “RIVERSIDE WATER FOR RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT” (OCTOBER 17, 2014)?

Scott Simpson was the former Chief of Enforcement for the California EPA Department of Toxic Substances Control, and also worked for the Department of Food and Agriculture in their Environmental Hazards Assessment Program specializing in ground water contamination.

Mr. Wright did not tell you that the water rights that provide the City of Riverside with water (more water each year than we can use) are of a type known as “use-it or lose-it.” If you conserve water at home, don’t assume the city won’t pump its full water rights each year–for if it doesn’t, it will lose the amount that hasn’t been used. You cannot conserve at home and expect the city to bank the groundwater savings. The groundwater has to be pumped every year at the maximum volume allowed in order to have the same volume of water available to us in the future. It’s the law. So, if the city well can pump water, it will be pumped–whether you use it or not, especially during drought.
Water rights and water conservation don’t work together. Even under our current city-wide declarations of “Emergency Drought” and the Mandatory Conservation Measures, the city pumps water via its water rights in the full legal amount each year. What you conserve daily (the excess) is sold to other water districts outside the city. When you look at your water bill and see the punitive, four-tiered pricing schedule, and then look at your brown front yard and your empty pool, remember: the water you save each month will not be stored in reserve, but will be sold to the City of Colton, the Rubidoux Water District, the Jurupa Water District, City of Corona, the Temescal Water Company, Highgrove, Home Gardens and the Western Municipal Water District–and others.
Mr. Wright did not tell you that the groundwater basin to which we hold water rights contains in excess of five million acre-feet of water. He did not tell you we annually pump–for use and sale–only 84,000 acre feet of water per year. He did not tell you that annual rainfall in the mountains easily replaces ten times the groundwater we pump each year. He did not tell you that 25% of our annual water supply is sold outside the city for cash.
So why did Wright, the former General Manager of the city’s Public Utilities Department, implement punitive, four-tiered pricing for your water? Why did he tell you to conserve water? Why did you decide you had to let your lawn go brown? It’s all about the profit the city will see as you pay more for less water and the city sells your conserved water to others outside the city each day. Why should we suffer so developers can take our water?
You, as a member of the public, own the city’s water rights. The city says you own the water system, too–you’ve paid for it. Why did Dave Wright implement city water policy so as to deny you the water you need? State law says residential water use is the “highest and best beneficial use of water”; exporting our excess water is termed the “lowest beneficial use.”
The city is desperate to raise our water rates. It uses conservation and the economic theory that the higher the price, the more you will conserve! So look forward to higher water prices this year and fines for having a brown lawn in violation of city code. After all, the city needs your money.-Scott Simpson, former Chief of Enforcement for the California EPA Department of Toxic Substances Control

AG PARK ISSUE REVISITED WITH NO RESPONSE BACK IN 2012:We brought to the attention the issue of the AG Park spill to City Council Members, City Manager Scott Barber, Secretary to City Attorney Greg Priamos-Susan Allen, Deputy City Attorney Neil Okazaki with no response from any of them. Even then they were aware of our concerns back in 2012, but as good stewards of the taxpayers, they did nothing.

FORMER CITY ATTORNEY GREGORY PRIAMOS KNEW OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ISSUE, AS EVERY OTHER ISSUE THAT CONCERNS THE TAXPAYERS.

JONATHAN GENTRY, MINISTER, EXPRESSES HIS OPINION ON THE FERGUSON ISSUE:

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACLU. RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVLY EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE (WE BELIEVE THIS WILL END SOON, SINCE THE FOCUS IS NOW ON THE IMPROPRIETIES OF MR. “Z”, WE TRIED TO TELL YOU, BUT NOBODY LISTENED), AND DON’T FORGET WE ARE PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… A STRATEGIC LEGAL MANEUVER THAT CAN BE DONE ONLY IN RIVERSIDE WITHOUT A CONTRACT… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS! WE JUST CAN’T SPELL! EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT BY CONTACTING US AT: THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

I been thinking about this investigation quite a bit, and continue with the thought of just what were they thinking? Was this a conspired smear campaign, a power play to remove a colleague who may have become a political advisery? Their plan, it appeared, simply begain to unraveled at the seams unveiling a vile, putrid decay of the very fabric of our democratic system. Mayor Bailey and Councilman Adams relayed to Soubirous on April 1, 2014, that four City of Riverside employees filed under the Whistleblower’s Protection Act with complaints against him that he violated Riverside City Charter Chapter 407, thereby creating a Hostile Work Environment, what was said to him never occurred. At the July 22nd Councilman Soubirous hearing, Councilman Paul Davis admitted Brown Act violations in which are council were involved.

Section 407.Interference in administrative service. Neither the Mayor nor the City Council nor any of its members shall interfere with the execution by the City Manager of his/her powers and duties, or order, directly or indirectly, the appointment by the City Manager or by any of the department heads in the administrative service of the City, of any person to an office or employment or their removal therefrom. Except for purpose of inquiry, the Mayor, the City Council and its members shall deal with the administrative service under the City Manager solely through the City Manager and neither the Mayor nor the City Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the City Manager, either publicly or privately. (Effective 12/27/1995).

Since they are “Whistleblower’s”, I would have imagined Federal Complaints would be in order. No such Federal filing according to records ever occurred. The four employees would have been RPOA President Brian Smith, RPOA Vice President Aurelio Melendrez, Chief of Police Sergio Diaz and City Manager Scott Barber. It would appear that the conspirators whittled the four filers to two since the true investigation only reveals two employees; Barber and Diaz, with Smith and Melendrez as “witnesses.” Barber made an indirect claim of a hostile work environment based on the witness testimony of third party information which, came directly from his meeting with Union President Brian Smith. He then crafted his letter and sent it to Mayor Bailey and Councilman Adams, of course, CC’d (Carbon Copy) City Attorney Gregory Priamos (AKA: The Architect). Remarkably, his letter stated that what was said between Smith and Soubirous created a hostile work environment for himself, he even admits what he has written is derived “third hand”, or AKA third party information. I guess you can always count on third party information to make a tight case.

BARBER’S COMPLAINT (CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE)

Not once, did our City Manager Scott Barber find it necessary to contact Councilman Soubirous to corroborate RPOA President (and RPD Sergeant-hoping to be Lieutenant) Brian Smith’s side of the story. This I find quite extraordinary! Isn’t Barber a conflict manager specialist? Or was this class just not offered in a Thespian Major? They didn’t even file their complaint according to the rules they evidently uphold (Charter Chapter 202-Code of Ethics and Conduct).

Did they perceive themselves as entitled, for the rules of law? Did they think the rules of law didn’t apply to them? They certainly apply to everyone else! Section 202 describes that a complaint form should be used and filed with the City Clerk! That certainly didn’t happen.

In a secondary act of incredible noteworthy importance, the Chief of Police in his letter did the exact same thing as City Manager Scott Barber. He based his complaint on RPOA Union President and RPD Sergeant’s Brian Smith’s personal account of his meeting with Councilman Mike Soubirous, that fateful Valentine’s Day of 2014.

RPOA President Brian Smith emailed me to tell me how I may have spun the actual fact, that I need to investigate before making a statement on the blog. So when RPOA Brian Smith sent TMC this email:

We asked RPOA President Brian Smith to clear up some questions simply because of his tag line, that he felt our post was a “interesting spin.” (CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE).

With that we asked our email to respond to the original Cop Play Book. (CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE). I did attempt to clarify through Seargent Smith himself but he never emailed me back. So I did take his advice and did a little investigation of my own. What I also found quite peculiar was RPD Sergeant and RPOA President Brian Smith’s interrelationships and affiliations with reference to CorporateWiki.Com The connection between Cliff Mason and Chris (Christopher) Lanzillo.

The Cop Play Book was a list of strategic tactics designed and crafted by the law firm of Lackie, Dammeier, McGill & Ethir, for cops and their unions in order to get what they want on the negotiating table. The full play book is listed below with some excerpts. The Playbook was quickly removed from the law firms web site when the cow pies began fly; not to mention Chris Lanzillo’s name was also removed from their web site as a working associate when the press exposed their underbelly.

Accordingly, with reference to the first page above, “associations leaders know, association leaders should be selective in their battles.” We also know that Aurelio Melendrez, Vice President of the Riverside Police Officer’s Association has referred to their RPOA as an “Organization.”

Always keep this in mind. The public could care less about your pay, medical coverage and pension plan (really?), All they want to know is “what is in it for them?” Again, how arrogant, deceiving and elitist of a statement this is, of course the taxpayer cares of the cost, they are paying for it! Isn’t this the reason for the majority of municipal bankruptcy’s? Unsustainable pensions?

The Association should be like a quiet giant in the position of, “do as I ask and don’t piss me off.” Again I ask RPOA President Brian Smith, is this a formula to create better politics, or “piss poor politics?”

No City Council or Governing Board should take place where members of your association and the public aren’t present publicly chastasing them for their lack of concern for public safety. Do we not see this in the City of Riverside because they deal and prevent this issue from being public in closed sessions? Every City Council meeting Riverside has in closed sessions deals with negotiating with Union Representatives!

Blunders by the City Manager, Mayor, or City Council members of wasteful spending should be highlighted and pointed out to the public at every opportunity.

…as a pressure tactic, tactic seeking petition to file a referendum on eliminating the City Manager’s position for a full time elected Mayor may cause the City Manager to rethink his or hers position.

Focus on a City Manager, Councilperson, Mayor or Chief of Police and keep the pressure up until that person assures you his loyalty and then move on to the next victim. Sounds familiar?

Of course, other ideas that cops come up with a very imaginative. Just keep in mind, the idea is to show the decision makers that the public favors public safety and it will only harm their public support by not prioritizing you and almost equally important, to let them know that next time that they should agree with you much sooner. Sounds familiar? Sound to me as another strong-arm tactic possibly utilized to attain an objective. Is this in the best interest of the taxpayer? Or is the taxpayer being shaked down?

On the KFI 640, radio host John and Ken interview Councilman Jim Righeimer about the incident, the original 911 call by Chris Lanzillo is also played on this show. It’s worth listening to. Righeimer is being set up by police officer and Chris Lanzillo. Lanzillo is driving a white Kia with no license plates while following Righeimer. Also noted was that he was illegally on the phone while driving, while making a false 911 call.

Councilman Jim Righeimer claims that the base pay that is indicated for police officers as well as fire fighters within the city is not the actual pay. For example if their base pay states $65K, it can actually be $135K, because their are actually 75 different ways to pay a public employee, not to mention pension, and may not even include healthcare! What they are saying is that the actual average pay per officer is actually $135K, but what you see or talked about is the base pay of $65K. Righeimer states that this was the main reason he was targeted, because he exposed to the taxpayer how much public employees really make. TMC is investigating this aspect within the City of Riverside.

What I’m getting from some of these reports is very disturbing. Have Police Unions become so powerful that they are somehow controlling certain political scenarios? This would definitely not benefit the taxpayer, but the very few in union membership. And by doing so, becomes a public health and safety issue. So now you have a police union, an attorney law firm with a police background, and possibly toss in some outside police officers working together in unison using the grey areas of the law to terrorize and shake down individuals in city government. Then decisions and contracts are then negotiated under these “circumstances.” Others in elected positions are also saying that the law firm harasses by threatening grand jury investigations.

Well if anybody knows, you can file a grand jury investigation against just about anything, you are harassed by the fact that you have to deal with it. Sounds like a good tactic as others say in the business, a “client control” strategy. Taking it a step further, is this part of the reason why California has unsustainable union contracts, is going bankrupt, and/or the reason why these contracts cannot be fulfilled or honored? Then the question would be, were some of these contracts not negotiated in the best interest of the taxpayer due to ulterior motives? Something to think about, this is what movies are made out of.. And this is one scenario I would like to see played out on the wide screen.

Let me see if I’ve got this straight…A Riverside detective named Chris Lanzillo gets fired…then is called back so that he can be retired early on a medical disability…which qualifies him to recieve his pay in large part tax free for the rest of his life. BUT…he’s not so disabled that he can’t work as a private investigator for a law firm that represents cops and cop unions…and shall we say…suuplement his retirement pay……Is that absurd or what! He’s a bad cop who’s now a crook…and we got to pay his freight for the rest of his life! – John Bosch, Commenter on the Orange County Register

But in this pic it appears he (Lanzillo, to the right) is drinking his ass off…

We also ask the question if City Hall elites have a play book, to get what they want? Reviewing, could this have been a concerted avenue utilized by Adams (Ex-RPD), Bailey, Smith, Aurelio and Diaz to destroy a political opponent? Could this have been a set-up, as Councilman Righeimer felt, as in his case?

According to a PE article you stated that the investigation on Soubirous was “incomplete” rather than “inconclusive.”, since Soubirous refused to let Gumport interview him. But it seems that Smith has forgotten that Soubirous was told April 1, 2014 that he would never know the identities of those who complained against him, that there were four and accused him of interfering with employee duties and causing a hostile work environment. According to the Fourteenth Amendment, was Soubirious being deprived of his right of “due process?” With this in mind, the case lacks creadance, therefore having documentation of all correspondence would be in order. Soubirous did just that, he declined to be interviewed, instead provided written answers to questions. After all we found out later that the interview process contained no audio recording or corresponding notes. This already appears as a set-up when you don’t know who the accusers are, and not allowed to respond appropriately by questioning them. Incidently, Smith supported Soubirous when he ran for Supervisor and had close ties to the Soubirous family. What made this campaign different for RPOA? Did the order come from the City?

Smith said he would have nothing to gain by making up a story about what Soubirous said. “As a law enforcement officer, if I am proven to be less than credible, that’s potentially career-ending,” he said. But does he? Does the Cop Play Book tell a different story?

Are the actions of the seven responsible for this embarrassing political train wreck?

The wife and I have lived at this address for 42 years…we have had outstanding council reps, Arden Anderson, Rosanna Scott, Frank Schiavone, Paul Davis and now Mike Soubirous.The unfounded “complaints” lodged against Councilman Soubirous are a joke. Apparently our City Manager and Chief Diaz got their bowels in a uproar over statement{s} made by the police union president or whatever title he hold/held. What a waste of tax payers money for lawyer fees. The approx. $98.000.00 would have bought alot of books for the libraries. We support Councilman Soubirous 110% against these complaints or whatever you want to call them. Same goes for the investigation of Paul Davis too…Suck it Up Boys…get over it and save the City of Riverside taxpayers money for good causes not mickey-mouse charges. – Gordon Williams, Commenter on the PE

Smith met with Soubirous one time alone and Soubirious met with one time with Aurelio Melendrez. You would think that if Smith felt there was any inclination of inappropriateness by Soubirous, he would attempt to record the moment or bring along a second party (which he claims are in RPOA’s “policy”). He did not. In fact he supported Soubirous for County Supervisor, even then giving him a campaign check.

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Chief Sergio Diaz also supported Soubirious by giving him a $500.00 personal check. Smith, Diaz and Soubirous were friends. Soubirous even loaned his truck out (several times) to Chief Diaz. So what happened? Was it that he couldn’t be bought? He asked the questions he shouldn’t have asked?

Does Melendrez appears to conceive that RPD is an independent “organization” as stated at City Council? An organization (or organisation) is an entity, such as an institution or an association, that has a collective goal and is linked to an external environment. Has Riverside’s finest lost there way? Concerned citizens and local community groups in Riverside agree that changes need to be made. The Riverside Police Department cannot be part of as an independent external entity, it cannot be effective distancing themselves from the community, they must be part of the community.

Aurelio made it very clear that there “organization” should be autonomous.. I don’t know what world he is living in, but the residents of Riverside pay his salary and all of those in RPD. If he would like to be in control of his own organization, he should try to privatize it and start up his own armed security company, otherwise it gives the impression of a rogue organization. A police force which has no transparency or accountability! Why would someone think this was anything but open, honest and transparent? The residents, the taxpayers, pay a lot of money for their salaries and pensions, and they come back and treat us in a condescending manner? That’s unacceptable! It’s apparent that RPOA only cares about their members, the members of their “organization,” as opposed to the taxpayer who pays their salaries, who they are there to protect and serve..or are they really self serving? I ask this because the question arises as to where their loyalty lies? Is it an attempt to separate law enforcement from their responsibilities and loyalties to the community residents? We may attempt to say yes, only by their actions.. Actions speak louder than words.

Mr. Smith, do the majority of RPD officers believe in what you are doing? If so, the taxpayers best interest is not at heart and we have a conflict and a question of loyalty. Your oath should state that. To breach that would cause a health and safety issue with the taxpayers, that you’ve taken an oath to protect and serve. Would you hold the taxpayer hostage to the wishes of your organization? This would be a cause of breaching your contract with the taxpayer. We as taxpayers asked RPOA to replace the cost of this kangaroo investigation. We asked the amount to be replaced to the General Fund. We ask that you resign as well as Aurelio Melendrez, or be fired. This the community of Riverside ask, in the hopes they will not be retaliated against, we know we will.

Regardless, I would like RPOA President Brian Smith to chime in on this.. especially placing his Chief as a “deity” or “god like”. That statement just seemed off the beaten track. It is also easy to use big words and threats on the taxpayer, with the taxpayers own money. Should this be acceptable to the tax payer or criminal? I say this because we then attempt to arise to a different level of reasoning. Those who work for us and take an oath to protect and serve, those who pay for their services, can actually take a different route..a route that doesn’t include the taxpayer. Therefore what do we have as a police force? We have a double dipping Chief of Police who was approximately two years late with his Strategic Plan… Again I say it, he was not qualified! And as a citizen and taxpayer, I should’t be threatened by the Chief of Police nor any citizen/resident in Riverside. Why does he do this? What is necessary and hasn’t been done is to investigate Chief Diaz’s background. If we would have investigated former City Manager Brad Hudson’s background, we would find that he had a criminal background…credit card fraud. While Mayor Bailey stated that Hudson was a “moral compass” we dispute that.. He did have a criminal past! The Hudson legacy gave us City Manager Scott Barber and Chief Sergio Diaz. Two of the four instigators of this Valentines Day Blunder. Not to mention, Hudson gave us his greatest gift to the residents, $4 billion in unpaid debt. Ask why you are seeing increases in sewer rates and mandatory water conservation, where we own our own water. We see that this was one issue all can agree on even Smith regarding former City Manager Brad Hudson. Smith states, “I think Scott’s done a great job for the city considering the bucket of shit he was left with Brad (Hudson) and Tom (DeSantis) and half the City Council that there’s now left him with it.” (pg.20 Smith Investigation, pg. 46 Investigative Report).

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

When Smith commented on this investigation at City Council on June 17th, he hadn’t known that Soubirous actually responded in writing to questions. The current investigation as it stands was not good enough for Smith at the Jully 22nd, who calls the investigation “incomplete” and would like the DA to get involved. When a group of conspirators decide that the accused, should not know who is accusing him, or have and information of what the detail charges are. Why would anyone agree to a oral interview? The law firm didn’t even tape the interviews or had written notes! Good thing Soubirous didn’t agree to that, and rightfully so. The law firm could not be trusted, where’s the due process? The Chief and RPOA should know better, especially the Fourteenth Amendment. Maybe they don’t know, or maybe they don’t care about the people’s rights?

But it didn’t stop there, Smith claimed in his unsworn testimony that Soubirous wanted a meeting via his phone text. This was unverifiable by Smith, since he states he doesn’t keep his text messages, he deletes all of them. Unknowingly, Soubirous kept his, and those text contradicted Smith’s testimony. The truth of the matter is that Smith called for a meeting. (pg.7 Smith Interview, pg. 33 of investigational report).

Smith in the interview states Soubirous texted him to set up a meeting, Soubirous personal text show contradicts Smith’s statement. (CLICK ABOVE IMAGES TO ENLARGE).

Why didn’t Smith file a complaint on Soubirous, and was only a witness? This investigation seems quite remarkable, after all, he created the allegations. In fact, it was all about Sergeant Brian Smith. Was he up for a promotion to lieutenant? What hat was he wearing? RPOA President or RPD Officer Sergeant Brian Smith? He was definitely wearing RPOA President hat, and this was not the first time. The question is what made this meeting different?

We also ask the question of why the suggestion of armed security guards were in order for La Sierra Park? Soubirous originally asked Chief Sergio Diaz about the issue of utilizing RPD officers to patrol at the February 11th, City Council meeting. Diaz never responded to the question, but instead disrespected Councilman Soubirous and even tried (actually succeeded) to get the audience to laugh at the question at Soubirious expense. Scott Barber seemed to have to come up with a plan if in fact Diaz refused to comply. Was armed security the alternative as a result of Diaz’s ego? RPOA President Brian Smith was in favor of 3 million bucks in overtime money for his “troops.” Of course this would never happen in the private sector, overtime that is, that is a no-no. Why couldn’t we utilize that money for hiring new officers at the base salaries? It therefore must be a perk. But with Diaz claiming there was not enough officers to handle the panhandlers, this seem to be the only viable option left for Soubirous to suggest as a way to fix the problem.

Was Valerie Hill recruited as Ward 3 candidate to run against Soubirous because of her commitment to RPD issues over the taxpayer? Was Soubirous not chosen because of his position on (he was against) Measure A? Cindy Roth, of the Greater Riverside Chamber thought so. Now that we have Measure A, we still apparently have a problem with a shortage of RPD officers, hum… Roth still needed to receive her city taxpayer handouts for her non-profit “laundering” activity. When will these welfare groups ever do the right thing? The bottom line is that Soubirous rubbed two RPD officers egos the wrong way, and a conspiratorial retaliation ensued. We saw it first hand, some residents have seen this first hand but have remained intimidated and or quiet.

Smith accuses Soubirous of calling his guys “lazy” when it was Soubirous constituents who made that call. That would be Smith’s real employer, the taxpayer. (pg. 11 Smith Interview, pg.37 Investigative Report). Smith then wanted those emails and names, was he thinking of retaliation of those constituents? It seems like Smith is parroting his boss, Sergio Diaz, who in his email to Soubirious stated to him that he (Soubirous) referred to RPD as “Lazy.” Did Diaz make this up and his little boy Brian follows Daddy’s lead? We need to ask the question of why the community does not contact RPD with their concerns. I also don’t believe there is a direct contact number anymore, except for 911.

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Why did Diaz avoid the issue of mental health training suggestions to help avoid officer-involved shootings when dealing with mentally disturbed or violent persons, when brought up by John Brandriff at a CPRC meeting? Then he retaliated against him.. What kind of person with a badge and gun does a thing as this; without a badge, gun and power would someone actually attempt to do this?

According to Smith account in reference to Chief Diaz’s job being in jeopardy, he states that “Sergio Diaz is a “deity” in this City.” “Other than the elected Sheriff of Riverside County, you are not going to remove Sergio Diaz without an uprising from the city and the citizens here and the employees that work for him.” This according to his Smith’s interview. Now remember non of these interviewees were legally sworn in to tell the truth, according to law.

DEITY:
1. a god or goddess
2. the state of being divine; godhead
3. the rank, status, or position of a god
4. the nature or character of God

I’m not sure where he gets this, but most of the community of Riverside sees otherwise. Why Smith would support Diaz, against community feelings is a misnomer. We ask the question to what is Smith’s MO? Again, the taxpayers of Riverside would like to be reimbursed for the amount of $49K times 4, by RPOA, City Manager Scott Barber and Chief of Police Sergio Diaz for this conspiratorial debacle and attempting to trump are Democratic process! Who are the real criminal masterminds?

character whiner god

Just the fact that at one time Chris Lanzillo was President of RPOA running the show, makes we wonder as to their MO’s when it comes to taxpayer’s monies, and what they will do to ensure that they get it.

Another promotional piece by the PE. Not going to work Press Enterprise. RPD Chief Sergio Diaz is a liability to the city of Riverside. He has already been found guilty of using inappropriate and vulgar language toward Riverside resident John Brandriff.Where do I start. Diaz has had numerous unprovoked angry outbursts toward several residents with whom he disagrees.RPD Chief Sergio Diaz is a bad role model for the Riverside Police Department.Among the things that he has said to residents:grow some balls – it is politically unwise to get me upset – if you have any political ambitions in this town, you do not cross me – residents who live in their mothers basement, sitting in their underwear, eating cheeto’s – you should not be able to say anything – you are a disgrace … Sergio Diaz refuses to attend RCPA Riverside Coalition for Police Accountability community meetings. Sergio Diaz refuses to accept any proposals from the city’s CPRC recommendations police commission. Sergio Diaz supports out-dated police policies that have cost Riverside taxpayers into the six digits due to lawsuits from residents who have been injured or killed by the Riverside police department. Is this the kind of behavior that Riverside should have as a police chief ?Let’s get a REAL police chief, preferably someone from within our own department.No more LAPD transfers !!!-Don Gallegos, commenter on the PE

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACLU. RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVLY EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE (WE BELIEVE THIS WILL END SOON, SINCE THE FOCUS IS NOW ON THE IMPROPRIETIES OF MR. “Z”, WE TRIED TO TELL YOU, BUT NOBODY LISTENED), AND DON’T FORGET WE ARE PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… A STRATEGIC LEGAL MANEUVER THAT CAN BE DONE ONLY IN RIVERSIDE WITHOUT A CONTRACT, WE WILL HAVE TO ASK GREGORY ABOUT THAT ONE ( OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT HIS PEOPLE)… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS! WE JUST CAN’T SPELL! EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT BY CONTACTING US AT: THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

“When a City employee with a gun and a badge makes these statements it is the worst kind of intimidation and bullying…”

John Brandriff, a Ward 7 Council candidate back in 2011 and who also served on the City’s Community Police Review Commission (CPRC), tells his story of his verbal exchange with Chief Sergio Diaz, which didn’t end copacetically. As a result, a complaint was filed against Diaz, and sent to City Manager Scott Barber for review. Below is that letter.

According to the complaint letter, Chief Diaz’s expression of disdain stemmed from public comments made at a CPRC meeting in February of this year. At this meeting Brandriff expressed his disappointment of the Chiefs lack of participation in the Mental Health/Police forum that was conducted at Bobby Bonds Park. The actual comment was taken from audio at the CPRC meeting, it is as follows:

..as I said before, hopefully you guys will get a better response from the Chief than the forum did. There were probably 10 or 12 different organizations from all over this City, and from L.A. and out of the County. And, he (Diaz) didn’t really deemed it necessary when invited, to come and offer up anything to the community. It was was hugely disappointing for me. I just thought that there was more community involvement than that..

After expressing this comment, Brandriff states he was “nodded” outside by Assistant Chief Vicino who expressed his concerns of the statement he just made. Listen to the actual CPRC audio of the comment by clicking the below link, (comment begins approximately around the 20.00 minute mark).

What happened next at the Fox Theater only surmised to Brandriff that the conversation he had with Vicino was shared with Diaz. What you read next is verbatum from Brandriff’s complaint letter:

I would like to relay an incident that happened to me Sunday night March 9th 2014 at the Fox Theater. My wife and I arrived with Councilmember Davis and his wife to attend the showing of “West Side Story”. Shortly after going inside we saw the Chief of Police, Sergio Diaz, and proceeded to say hello. Councilmember Davis was in front of me and talked to the Chief first. When I went to shake hands with the Chief he pulled me closer and stated that should I ever have any concerns about the way he runs his department that I “should grow some balls and talk to him”. I responded that I thought discussing some of the issues would be a good idea and that if he had time next week we could get together, it was then that I realized the Chief was very agitated because his response was very abrupt and curt when he said “oh I’ll make the time”. By this time the rest of my party was starting up the stairs to our seats and I asked Chief Diaz if there was a specific number or person to contact to arrange the meeting he then reached in his pocket, obviously angry and shoved his card at me while moving closer and said “If you have any more political aspirations don’t make an enemy out of me”.

The letter below is the response from City Manager Scot Barber to John Brandriff, which assured him that the Human Resource Department did a full investigation, and that Barber will take appropriate action in accordance with related rules and policies.

There have been other incidents on record, one with public speaker Karen Wright when she spoke out at public comment on the naming of El Tequesquite Park to Bonaminio Park. Another incident occurred with community activist Christina Duran, where she was seated next to County Supervisor Bob Buster who witnessed the whole Diaz exchange. Another confrontation occurred with “Five Before Midnight” blogger Mary Shelton at a ACLU event. At this event he (Diaz) confront Shelton, and ask the question, “What are you doing here? Who allowed you to come to this forum?” An ACLU representative had to intervene to actually smooth over Diaz’s aggressive questioning. Some are simply calling him a “drama queen.” Many resident/taxpayers are asking the question of why he hasn’t been fired by City Manager Scott Barber? Is he not representing the interest of the taxpayer because he has obligations that superside the taxpaer? There are many more that, whom were asked not to be revealed, for fear of City and RPD retaliation, but we are even hearing of events occurring in Los Angeles which involve Diaz that are disturbing. Again, this is the legacy of former City Manager Brad Hudson, the current City Attorney Gregory Priamos and the former Mayor Ron Loveridge. Even TMC was drawn in to Diaz’s questionable behavior by a comment we made. This email came from to us stating that Diaz wanted to meet with us, not to talk about how to make the community better, but because of a comment made. The following is an email sent to TMC back in 2011.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE EMAIL

Sorry, we had to redact to protect individuals from possible retaliation by RPD or other City Officials … after all as most residents understand, this is Riverside…

What Diaz doesn’t get, is that the Community of Riverside also felt slighted when he stated that some of the critics are “sitting at home eating Cheetos in their underwear.” In addition, he stated in the PE, “It’s a challenging job,” Diaz told me. “It’s not a job for people who prefer to be in their mommy’s basement commenting on news stories.” Well alrighty Chiefy, we get it… Yes Myrah, we see you signaling that the bag is empty! Let’s break out a fresh bag of Cheetos.. By the way, was that underwear custom tailored? Yes the Chief is very handsome and very married, please don’t use 911 to call him again!

“Respect for the community, respect for other officers, respect for ourselves is going to be the byword by which I will attempt to lead the city of Riverside over the next few years,” he said. “Out of respect comes every other good quality that we strive for in a police department and police officer.” – Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz

“Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech.” — Benjamin Franklin

So what we’ve seen, is a Chief or Police out of control. He is obviously not community orientated, as he was originally hired to heal the city, whereby, he has only been confrontational, intimidating and threatening to the residents and citizens of the City of Riverside. Even the RPD officers are questioning his abilities and qualifications. After all, he was hired by a former City Manager who had a record of credit card fraud! I believe it was still okay with the City of Riverside. But if you have the same qualifications and challenge the city, you will be destroyed.

According to Pepper’s attorney, Jason Thompson, said Mayor Bailey’s animus towards Ms.Pepper appeared to have grown after she wrote in defense of people, which the Mayor had “dressed-down” during the earlier June council meeting. In her letter written to him two weeks before she was arrested for applauding, Pepper addressed the Mayor’s approval of some people and regular attacks on others. During the earlier council meeting, video footage shows Mayor Bailey telling certain citizens they were not allowed to applaud. However, a review of the same footage shows Bailey regularly allowing applause by people he clearly favors. In her letter, Pepper referred to Mayor Bailey’s selective approval and disapproval of citizens writing that the city council had become “so emboldened that it thinks it can treat audience members differently because of who they are.” Pepper continued that approval based on whether a citizen agrees with the position of the Mayor or council members violates the First Amendment. No arrests or warnings for applause on issues Mayor Bailey supported or of people he favors were made during the June 11 or June 25 meetings.

Pepper, who previously worked at Best, Best & Kreiger, a law firm that has represented multiple cities in lawsuits against seriously ill and disabled medical marijuana patients, began advocating on behalf of those citizens after she herself was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Papers filed in federal court by Pepper allege that anti-patient Riverside Mayor William “Rusty” Bailey was retaliating against Pepper in-part because of his long-time dislike for people prescribed medical marijuana and because Pepper had written a letter to him after he’d threatened citizens who applauded during a June 11 council meeting. According to Pepper’s attorney, Jason Thompson, Riverside has been one of the most aggressive opponents of medical marijuana in California. Thompson explained that, despite passage of the state’s 1996 Compassionate Use Act, in May, 2013, with the help of law firm Best, Best & Kreiger, the city prevailed against a group of patients forcing them to leave the City. After winning the decision against patients, Mayor Bailey announced the city had won a “major victory” in its fight against patients. At the same time, the city announced it was shutting-down all remaining patient collectives. Thompson said that although marijuana reduces the size of cancer tumors according to the federal government’s National Cancer Institute, the City has effectively prevented thousands of its disabled and seriously ill citizens from accessing medicine.

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO ACLU. NOW TAGGED LOCAL BLOGGERS OR LOCAL MEDIA? RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… WE WILL HAVE TO ASK GREGORY ABOUT THAT ONE ( OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT HIS PEOPLE)… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS! EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR FOR CONTACT! THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

According to the PE, the whole thing seemed to begin with a series of emails sent out by Councilman Soubirous regarding his constituents concerns regarding vagrants and panhandlers. The response from RPD was that “our hands are tied” or ‘there’s nothing we can do.” Evidently, Soubirous states he didn’t send an email to Diaz, but the email was forwarded to Diaz by another councilman. We are thinking here at TMC, could it have been Adams? If so, would that have been a Brown Act violation? Incidently, another unamed councilman has been accused of violating the Brown Act, and submitted to the DA, we all know where that will go. Regardless, that never seemed to stop Adams before. In response, Diaz wrote back to Councilman Soubirous that no good can come from labeling dedicated public servants as “lazy.” The next statement by Diaz seems to be on the political threatening side, Diaz states that, “it would be politically unwise to declare war on you cops.” Already we get the feeling that trouble is a brewing. Anonymous sources are stating Diaz had made a similar threat regarding another current candidate running for office regarding the end of their political career if they continued on the road they are on. TMC has found that it is John Brandiff, and has evidently filed a complaint against Diaz. What kind of history does Diaz have in Los Angeles? Information still coming through the pipeline. So why is a Chief of Police out threatening elects and candidates? Why is he acting as some sort of rouge underworld boss shaking down and hard balling constituents asking questions and threatening those who have aspirations of running for office? Difficult as it seems, Riverside has serious problems in RPD, and no one is minding the store when minding the store are the residents of Riverside.

Chief Sergio Diaz

Why does the Chief act as he does? We are not sure but many in the community have witness his outburst. It appears that Chief has a history of not being kind to taking suggestions and criticism well. In one instance, he called certain commenters in the community who were questioning police tactics regarding the Officer Bonaminio murder, that they were “sitting at home eating cheetos in their underwear.” In otherwords, the community should stay out of areas they know nothing about. If this is the case I can see conflict occurring if Council people are asking questions regarding Police affairs.

Section 407 refers specifically to the interference of individuals, such as the Mayor and Council, in city administrative services. The section is as follows:

Neither the Mayor nor the City Council nor any of it’s members shall interfere with the execution by the City Manager of his/her powers and duties, or order, directly or indirectly, the appointment by the City Manager or by any of the department heads in the administrative service of the City, of any person to an office or employment or their removal theirfrom. Except for purpose of inquiry, the Mayor, the City Council and its members shall deal with the administrative service under the City Manager solely through the City Manager and neither the Mayor nor the City Council nor any member there of shall give orders to any subordinates of the City Manager, either publicly or privately. (Effective 12/27/1995)

According to the PE, Mayor William “Rusty” Bailey and Councilman Steve Adams (also Mayor Pro Tem), told Soubirous that four complaints were filed for violation of section 407. Both Bailey and Adams refrained to disclose who complainants were. The last time similar situation occurred was when Fire Inspector Roni Forst filed a complaint against Councilman Paul Davis for harassment and discrimination. Though not reported in the PE, I would deduce that before the complaints were filed, a proper intake interview was done without interference from outside sources, by the Human Resources Department. From that point I would suspect that the interviewers would determine if there was enough evidence of a violation of section 407 of the City Charter for a proper complaint to be issued and filed. When a complaint was filed against Davis, Steve Espinoza and Human Resource Director Rhonda Strout, A.K.A. Luxury Girl, did the intake interview.

The City Council then hired a Los Angeles based firm, Gumport Maslan, specifically Attorney Leonard Gumport would be handling the investigation. Gumport had been previously hired by the County of San Bernardino to investigate allegations of conflict of interest, bribery and corruption. It doesn’t state if Soubirous was present when the Council decided to go forward with this investigation. Regardless, Councilman Steve Adams, who was also Mayor Pro Tem, signed this contract with the law firm which interestingly has a cap of exactly $49,000.00. Why $49,000.00? Would it be that the City Manager’s maximum discretionary spending is capped at $50,000.00, at anything over $50,000.00 must be properly brought publicly to City Council? Incidently, it was not uncommon to see Councilman Steve Adams having drinks and food together at local dining and waterholes with people from City Management.

Another incidence, involved former Lt. Meredyth Meredith, whereby former Chief of Police Russel Leach was preparing to promote Meredith to captain, when he received a call from former Assistant City Manager Tom De Santis to put a stop to this. According to a deposition, Leach stated, “And I found out that Steve Adams marched into a meeting…Hudson and De Santis and told them emphatically she shouldn’t be promoted”. Leach stated in a PE story, that he was unhappy in his final two years on the job because “I didn’t like political involvement . I hadn’t had it before.” Leach also said that Hudson and DeSantis allowed council members – specifically City Councilman Steve Adams – to influence police promotions.

In another telling tale, there was story of John Carpenter, whereby Leach, Esquivel and De La Rosa had chosen him to be promoted to captain. The went to City Hall to have a face-to-face with Hudson and DeSantis to present what the testing process revealed and who we selected. And he said, “Let me think about it.” So I let him think about it, he hadn’t heard from him for a while, so Leach called Hudson. Hudson told Leach that Carpenter and Adams had bad history together. Adams was adamant that he didn’t want Carpenter to promote into Captain. Section 407 violation?

In a Press Enterprise article back in August of 2012, former Chief of Police, Russell Leach stated in a court deposition that a complaint Riverside Councilman William “Rusty” Bailey made in 2008 may have unwittingly help block Lt. Val Graham’s promotion. In a phone call Leach received from former Assistant City Manager Tom DeSantis, he recalled how “Val had embarrassed Bailey at this community meeting, said a couple of inappropriate things and that Bailey was furious,” and expressed his anger at city management. The following time Leach was preparing to make promotions, DeSantis asked him who was being considered? Before Leach had a chance to answer, DeSantis stated, “Don’t tell me it’s Val Graham?” Leach stated that because of the resistance he sensed in this conversation he didn’t put Graham’s name forward. Was Graham held back because the then Councilman Bailey felt slighted? Could this be perceived as a violation of the City Charter Section 407?

The players involved seem to be Councilman Steve Adams, Mayor William “Rusty” Bailey, Chief of Police Sergio Diaz and City Manager Scott Barber. Incidently, Diaz and Barber were remnents of former City Manager Brad Hudson. Hudson’s background was that he had a record for credit card fraud when he was seventeen. Not that this is important, due to the fact that he was a teen. But the question is, did Hudson carry his bad behavior to his adulthood? During his reign he initially purchased a revolver from RPD Sgt. Cliff Mason, who was also President of the Riverside Police Officers Union, and fraudulently used the City Hall address of 3900 Main Street as his home address to apply for a concealed weapons permit. You would think that this officer would know the law in gun sales, well of course he does. Well, we believe he did, and did otherwise, breaking the law. Incidentally, neither the Riverside Police Department nor the City of Riverside are licensed to sell and transfer firearms, therefore the sale of firearms to private citizens or employees of the city is illegal. In the City of Riverside no one seems to be accountable. Again we see a culture of two sets of rules. Can we call it corruption? Can we call it illegal or just bad business, in the words of District Attorney Paul Zellerbach? Whatever it is, it happened.

Opinions of residents in the City contend that Soubirous was not whom City insiders wanted to be part of the council “get along club.” Valerie Hill would have been a better match, but residents have stated that they are tired of what the City has done with taxpayer monies and wanted someone to ask the tough questions and defend them, without the probability of being targeted. Soubirous was whom the community elected. But it certainly seems to have upset the apple cart of the usual suspects within the city status quo who are not accustomed to true leadership. In this reporters opinion, the matter is petty, elementary, a waste of taxpayer monies and seemingly a non issue brought together by a bunch of frat boys. What is most interesting and quite remarkable is the two peas in the pod appear to be Councilman Steve Adams and Mayor William “Rusty” Bailey. Again you have to wonder if there was interference within the realm of the complaint, it’s hard enough to teach old dogs new tricks.

COMMENTS FROM THE PRESS ENTERPRISE:

My councilman did tell me he would look into an issue of concern involving the sale of an RPD helicopter., the city’s only fire fighting helicopter (photographed here at the Pomona Fairgrounds auction site)being sold off for $200,000 on Feb..22 of this year. Are CC members even allowed to ask those kind of questions or will be they be investigated? Given that Adams was not investigated for alleged 407 w/ RPD in 2006 and 2008 what are parameters to investigate? It’s our money folks. -Mary Shelton

Seems like Councilman Soubirous’ digging into city corruption has garnered the attention of the Municipal Mob. He will now learn firsthand how this city conducts “independent” investigations. Just like Councilman Davis had to be taught: just nod your head Mike and they’ll leave you alone. It’s time to wash the filth out of City Hall. We can start with whomever’s behind this plot. Of course, we’ll never find out because as Soubirous is realizing: their is ZERO transparency behind the process. –Fay Vic

Most of you know that Mike Soubirous is a man of the highest integrity and ethics. Thus we know that this is just another witch hunt prompted by the City Manager Scott Barber, Chief Sergio Diaz, and perhaps even Mayor Rusty Bailey. Politics as usual at Riverside City Hall. Especially when someone such as Mike chooses to be a leader rather a city hall hack like most who sit on the city council are. Valerie Hill lost the election guys, just accept it. This is much to do about nothing. Nevertheless, we must support Mike now as much as possible. PS. We need a homegrown police chief instead of a double-dipping transfer from the notorious LAPD. -Donald Herman Collins Gallegos

All I can say is that Mike is holding to his promise of transparency and honesty with his constituents. Knowing him and his family personally, I understand his right heart and integrity in wanting to serve his community, taking his job seriously in asking questions that are of importance and for the greater good of those he serves. Stay strong, Mike. -JoeDeGerolamo

Something is screwy here. The Chief’s response do not seem connected to the e-mail cited. Also, does the right to face an accuser disappear for elected officials? What are the rules for Council members who wish to contact city employees? [Why do news articles seldom cover the information I want to know?] – Richard P. Morrall

Chief Diaz needs to learn that the Council sets policy. Soubirous is well within his authority to question current policy and work with other council members to change it. This will end up being much ado about nothing, except that the City will be out $49k. – sadf qwrett

Diaz feelings hurt because he was running cover for the vagrants (many of them are homeless sex offenders) and someone calls him on it. Someone should be investigating the tactics “The Chief” approved of before Soubirous spoke up on behalf of his constituents. Shame the rest of the lemmings are sitting on the sidelines, watching the City Manager-lead witch hunt. Mike, hang in there. Keep your head high. The folks that elected you are smart enough to see what’s going on. – Dick_Gosinya

Chief sounds insecure, well they all do. Barber and Diaz are dysfunctional leftovers from the Brad Hudson legacy. A cliquish culture of narcissistic lack luster leadership. All this because it seems one councilman, Soubirious, who is truly an independent voice. Didn’t Bailey run his campaign on being an independent voice? – Bret Hudson

This is a city manager-led witch-hunt on behalf of the police chief with his panties in a wad because a ward councilman, on behalf of his constituents, pushed to tackle a thorny problem in the city. Diaz, Bailey, Barber et al are a bunch of spineless hacks who view their jobs as nothing more than gladhanding politics-as-usual. – remmy700p

As we have seen before, the nail that stands up, gets smacked down. Did the full council really discuss and vote to hire an investigator? The $49 K seems to be the maximum the city manager can spend on his own authority. – Kevin Dawson

JUST IN: CITY OF RIVERSIDE HIRES A PSYCHOLOGIST TO HELP ALL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO GET ALONG. SORRY, THIS IS NO JOKE, THE CITY SPENT $16,000.00 TAXPAYER MONEY FOR THE HEAD SHRINK. IS THIS AN OXYMORON TO THE TENTH DEGREE FOLKS? Is it because some in the Council don’t want to be part of the “get along to go along” club, so they therefore must be crazy? So now we can fix that problem with an taxpayer motivator/psychologist, and somehow convince the council to get back to voting 7-0 on all issues. Anonymous sources, of which we cannot corroborate, are stating that there was a big blow out between Mayor William “Rusty” Bailey and Councilman and Congressman Candidate Steve Adams which lasted in the neigborhood of 30 minutes. The psychologist intervened and they are now friend again…

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO ACLU. NOW TAGGED LOCAL BLOGGERS OR LOCAL MEDIA? RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… WE WILL HAVE TO ASK GREGORY ABOUT THAT ONE ( OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT HIS PEOPLE)… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS! EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR FOR CONTACT! THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

On June 25, 2013 at City Council in the City of Riverside, Letitia Pepper, Esq., former Best, Best & Krieger Attorney, was arrested for clapping in approval of statements made by public speakers. If you recall, public speaker Karen Wright was arrested last November 2012 for speaking 16.8 seconds over the 3 minute rule. Mike Fine, Deputy Superintendent of RUSD, went over the 3 minute with no provocation or arrest by the mayor.. Regardless, Mayor William Rusty Bailey, as an audience member coined, “Lil Hitler”, felt strongly enough to sign the citizen’s arrest form that activated the arrest of Ms. Pepper. Bailey, a government teacher, should know the constructs of the First Amendment, otherwise, what was he teaching his students? A little power can certainly make you forget that you are there to serve the public.

Once she was arrested and removed from council chambers, the audience responded with clapping in support of Ms. Pepper. Was her First Amendment right of free speech impinged? It is likely that this could be explored in a law suit against the City of Riverside. What will clammed up City Attorney Gregory Priamos have to say about this? Well he’s pretty much saying nothing about nothing these days..

So why is Bailey clapping in approval without being arrested? Has he now become the decider? What will King Bailey do next? Send the masses of clappers to internment camps?

Ten days ago this document was handed to Mayor Bailey in demand for a public apology for unlawful and discourteous actions at Council Chambers June 11, 2013. Ms. Pepper was representing three citizens, Vivian Moreno, Joel Udayke and Dvonne Pitruzzello regarding his position on no applauding during public comment. Was this in fact, a personal vendetta against former BB&K Attorney, Letitia Pepper by Mayor Bailey? Why was Ms. Pepper targeted for removal and arrest my Mayor Rusty Bailey, when there were multiply clappers? Why weren’t the other clapppers removed and arrested? Is this the Mayor’s attempt to control public participation in government? Is the arrest a show of force in an attempt to initimidate the public not to participate in government? Currently the Mayor Bailey has passed the 10 day response time. We’ve yet to hear of a statement from Mayor Bailey or even the clammed up in his office City Attorney Gregory Priamos. But is there more to Priamos’s life than we know? More to come on TMC..

THE CITATION (CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE)

But I guess the questions many are asking these days, even those who voted for Rusty, what is he doing? Again as many residents have said, they feel the city will retaliate against them if something derrogatory is said regarding city politics. So why is it? Many are asking, is it because of the history of Rivserside, whereby a conglomerate of politically tied families made the rules and the basis for politics in the City of Riverside? Which of course includes the Bailey family. You have Mayor William Rusty Bailey’s father judge and then you have the fathers friend who was a founder of incidently, Best, Best & Krieger. Halleluah, are we actually coming to anwers of why the City of Riverside is the way that it is politically?

Judge John Gabbert, in younger days, a Quandrangle of Influence within the City of Riverside? What is the connection between Best, Best & Krieger and the City of Riverside? What is taking that hold on Riverside that has everything to do with old family influences? You get my drift, I wouldn’t attempt to try this case on the constitutionality of ‘clapping’ within the City of Riverside.

Will Zellerbach do anything about this? According to his campaign contributions, I guess not..

One homeless person was seen doing laundry in the water pool in front of City Hall on June 25, 2013.

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO ACLU. NOW TAGGED LOCAL BLOGGERS OR LOCAL MEDIA? RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… WE WILL HAVE TO ASK GREGORY ABOUT THAT ONE ( OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT HIS PEOPLE)… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS! EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR FOR CONTACT! THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

UPDATE: 02.13.2013: This substantiates TMC’s allegations that burning devices were used to cause a fire in the cabin in which Dorner was in. There was no intention to arrest or take Dorner alive! This was the plan. INCENDIARY DEVICE CALLED ‘BURNERS’ WERE USED AGAINST DORNER. THE INTENTION WAS NOT TO TAKE HIM ALIVE, ACCORDING TO POLICE SCANNERS. Police audio from the Christopher Dorner siege reveals a deliberate plan to burn down the cabin in which Dorner was trapped, with one officer heard to say, “FUCKING BURN THIS MOTHERFUCKER,” before police discussed their intention to, “go ahead with the plan with the burners.”

If they can do this in this situation, what do the police do in community situations and get away with? This is what the community is concerned about and many fear in their police in which they are their to protect and serve. Or are they a completely different animal when it comes to the relationship with the community, are they to serve themselves and their associates as a cohesive self serving unit or gang. Does the community in essence have something to fear in those that a there to protect and serve?

The audio was captured on police scanners as well as being picked up by a local news broadcast. More than seven agencies, federal, state and local were involved in the final hours of the siege. The LAPD SWAT Team was airlifted in to carry out the final raid, with reports later confirming, “the SWAT team had the cabin surrounded.” San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies were also involved in the standoff. The video above is from captured police scanner transmissions which were broadcast online shortly before authorities ordered them to be disabled.

“Alright, we’re gonna go ahead with the plan with the burners,” one officer says.

“Copy,” replies another.

“Like we talked about,” the first officer responds.

“The burners are deployed, and we have a fire,” says another officer moments later, before the police dispatcher repeats the statement.

Within minutes of the fire starting, police note that the cabin is “starting to collapse.”

Police are also heard discussing if they are ready to “bring fire”.

“Burners” is police slang for tear gas canisters, which are known to cause fires.

In a separate clip carried by a local news channel, police are heard to say, “Fucking burn this motherfucker,” and “burn that fucking house down.” This audio appears to be from earlier in the siege following the initial shootout between Dorner and cops.

UPDATE: 02.12.1213: DORNER LOCATED, DEPUTY KILLED IN SHOOTOUT. RIVERSIDE CHIEF OF POLICE SERGIO DIAZ STATES THAT DORNER’S BODY HAS BEEN FOUND, WHICH THEN TRIGGERED ARBITRARY WIDESPREAD UNFOUNDED REPORTS THAT DORNER’S BODY HAD BEEN FOUND.

IN ESSENCE, DIAZ MAY HAVE JUMPED THE GUN, WHICH CONTRADICTED LAPD’S REPORT. CURRENTLY, THE CABIN CONTINUES TO SMOLDER, AND REMAINS UNSAFE FOR INVESTIGATORS TO SEARCH FOR THE BODY OF THE SUSPECT.

AS A RESULT, LAPD REPORTED THAT DORNER’S BODY HAD NOT BEEN RECOVERED! AND IF ONE IS FOUND, IT MAY TAKE WEEKS TO MAKE THE IDENTIFICATION. UNTIL FIRMLY IDENTIFIED BY DNA TEST ETC., TECHNICALLY, DORNER WILL CONTINUE TO REMAIN AT LARGE IN THE BOOKS.

7 OAKS ROAD, ANGELUS OAKS (CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE) CABIN BURNED TO THE GROUND, DORNER ASSUMED DEAD. Allegedly the police and sheriff forces didn’t plan to take Dorner alive. A tear gas cannister with a propensity for high heat was allegedly used, these types are hot enough to cause a fire. After the fire broke out, a single shot was heard inside the cabin allegedly indicating a possible suicide. Though a charred body has been found, it is unclear if Dorner died at the hands of the burning infierno or a single self inflicted suicide bullet.

Riverside Assistant Police Chief Chris Vicino said officers will not rest until Dorner is caught. “We will look under every rock,” he said. “We will look around every corner. We will climb every mountaintop to catch him.”

Many are asking this question, with three unsolved murders within Riverside’s own backyard, are there two sets of standard when it comes to murder investigations in the City of Riverside when it comes to a resident and a police officer? Why was Vicino not as passionate to pursue an expedited investigation of local residential unsolved murders of Laureanz Simmons (14) 02/23/2012, Gregory Ball (37) 01/26/2012, Arturo Reyes (55) 01/17/2013 and Ashanti Hassan (29) 06/30/2012? Are not police as well as residents part of the same family and both equally important in the community that we live in? The Riverside County Board of Supervisors and the City of Riverside combined will add $200,000.00 to the reward for the capture of Dorner. We are also asking that the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and City of Riverside contribute $200,000.00 each for the capture of the killers of the unsolved murders of Laureanz Simmons, Gregory Ball and Ashanti Hassan. Why? Because it would be the right thing to do, so closure can be brought to the families of these individuals, and that the individuals face justice.

UPDATE:02.12.2013: COUNCIL APPROVES $100,000.00 REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST AND CONVICTION IN THE SHOOTING OF TWO RIVERSIDE POLICE OFFICERS, OBVIOUSLY WE DON’T THINK THAT THE POLICE AUTHORITIES WOULD LIKE THIS RESULT TO HAPPEN, THEREFORE YOU HAVE TODAY WITNESSED POLICE JUSTICE IN ACTION, OF WHAT IS ALLEGEDLY PART OF THE BROTHERHOOD OF POLICE CULTURE.

I never saw a wild thing feel sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever feeling sorry for itself. –D.H. Lawrence

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: He was last seen driving a late model gray or blue Nissan Titan 4-door pickup with a ski rack on top. California license plate number: 8D83987. Found.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Christopher Jordan Dorner, a 33-year-old, black, male, 6 feet tall, 270 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes and an unknown clothing description. Anyone who believes they have spotted Dorner is advised to call 911. Do not attempt to confront the suspect, as he is considered armed and dangerous.

PRESS RELEASE OF THE FALLEN OFFICER AND THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY FROM LT. TOUSSAINT (CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE)

MANIFESTO EXCERPTS:

When your family members die, they just see you as extra overtime at a crime scene and at a perimeter.

Ofcr. Burdios began singing a nazi youth song about burning jewish ghettos.

While traveling back to the station in a 12 passenger van I heard Magana refer to another individual as a nigger.

What I should have done, was put a Winchester Ranger SXT 9mm 147 grain bullet in his skull and Officer Magana’s skull.

This is my last resort. The LAPD has suppressed the truth and it has now lead to deadly consequences.

I do not fear death as I died long ago on 1/2/09.

I will bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in LAPD uniform whether on or off duty.

As much as the community of Riverside are shocked at this event, not only is he RPD’s fallen brother, but the Community of Riverside’s fallen brother, and Police Chief Sergio Diaz should not forget that and not leave us out.. Our neighbor’s are police officers, our friends are police officers, we all mourn together as a family, and as a community. We are sadden that those two officers were at that intersection at that snapshot in time.

Our prayers go out to the fallen 34 year old RPD Officer is a Field Officer and an 11 year veteran of the force, who was with a new officer in training who was severely wounded.

According to a CBS report, Dorner was fired from LAPD after he made a complaint against his field training officer, Sgt. Teresa Evans. Dorner said that in the course of the arrest, Evans kicked suspect Christopher Gettler, a schizophrenic with severe dementia. Following the investigation, Dorner was fired from LAPD for ‘making false statements’. Incidently Richard Gettler, Christopher’s father, gave testimony that corroborated and supported Dorner’s claim. This after Christopher was returned to his father Richard. Richard asked his son “if he had been in a fight because his face was puffy”. His son responded that he was kicked twice in the chest by a police officer.

Is Dorner’s current violent rampage a direct result of an assassination of his character and professional reputation for as he said, “doing the right thing”? He writes about the indiscretions of LAPD, in addition he describes and details his clear indication of frustration with LAPD, unlike what mainstream media are coining the manifesto, “rambling”. My suggestion to many of the media outlets, read it again. Reading through the manifesto it almost appears as a suicide note, a sort of last will and testament. In his manifesto, Dorner writes about aspects important to him and that molded him such as politics, his views on gun control, music, movies, comedians, books, friends and people close to him. He is letting everyone know in this manifesto he will be leaving this world very soon.

If you are a large black male individual that in any way resembles Dorner, Stay Home! Especially if you live in Torrance or anywhere in Southern California, you don’t want to become a statistical police error. It’s bad enough that vehicles are being shot by police just because the vehicle resembles Dorner’s. On the other hand, you don’t even have to look like Dorner to be shot at by those who are there to protect and serve.

UPDATE: 02.09.2013: Congratulations to RPD Lt. Valmont Graham and Community Activist Mary Shelton who will also be awarded the 2013 Bill Howe Award for Police Accountability by the Riverside Coalition for Police Accountability on Monday 11th at the Community Settlement Association, 4366 Bermuda Avenue, Riverside, CA , 92507, 6:30pm-8:00pm. Free and Open the Public.up

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO ACLU. NOW TAGGED LOCAL BLOGGERS OR LOCAL MEDIA? RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… WE WILL HAVE TO ASK GREGORY ABOUT THAT ONE ( OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT HIS PEOPLE)… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS! EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR FOR CONTACT! THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

AS A SIDE NOTE, I’VE BEEN TOLD THAT CUSSING AND SPITTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND A HEAP OF BOOK LEARNING NOT NECESSARY IN ORDER TO TAKE ISSUE WITH THE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 5, 2013 AT 1:00PMSince the council always agree on everything, I know they’ll agree with this one. Will council keep Councilmember Steve Adam’s mouth in check long enough as to not make a reckless statement which may be interpreted as fighting words by the other side.

UPDATE: 02.05.2013: POWER LINE PROJECT APPROVED 5:0 BY CITY COUNCIL.What next? The City of Jurupa Valley filing suit against the City of Riverside? An additional law suit against the City of Riverside for an alleged illegal tax, of which was charged to residents in what is known as the “reliability charge”. The reliability charge is $10.00 dollar monthly utility charge seen on residents bills, which was never voted on by the residents therefore possible legal ramifications in regards to violations in reference to Proposition’s 218 and 26. Lastly, a possible IRS audit as a result of alleged misuse of Federal Bonds? How much can the City of Rivereside’s legal fund take? Mayor Bailey thinks we are in good standing after told by CFO Brent Mason we have $400 million in reserves, but let’s not tell him there are rules and restriction to the use of these reserves which are actually investment funds.

The City of Riverside’s darling in lobbying, Cindy Roth, and her lobbying group, the Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce, was out in force with this mailer sent to members.

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At this point, the City of Riverside is still in need of a legitimate Chamber of Commerce that truly represents real business.

THE RELIABILITY CHARGE: A UTILITY ANOMALY?

Each month since 2008 the citizens of Riverside have been paying a $10.00 charge on their utilities bill that was originally intended for the construction and expansion of transmission lines. These lines would give the City of Riverside a back-up system in case a disaster occurred as we were told. But is this really a tax? This in turn would be a violation of Proposition 26.

The City of Jurupa states that the City of Riverside’s route encompasses prime land which in turn would destroy the value. The City of Jurupa Valley states that there are alternative routes available. The City of Riverside’s position is that the route is the only route available. TMC understands that the City of Riverside has spent a cost of over $20K for an EIR (Environmental Impact Report), which may be the reason for snubbing the City of Jurupa Valley. Bailey went to the City of Jurupa Valley for a meeting, but nothing appeared to come from it. The position of Riverside in reference to the transmission line route was maintained.

Again, most people thought the City of Riverside were neighbors with the City of Jurupa Valley, and that we were friends being neighboring cities, but is this going to turn out to be another Hatfield’s & McCoys?

According to the Press Enterprise, on Monday, Jan. 14, Jurupa Valley Chamber of Commerce President Dan Rodriguez met with Riverside Mayor William “Rusty” Bailey to discuss how the Interstate 15 route would impact commercial, industrial and residential development that would bring jobs, tax revenue and valuable services to Jurupa Valley. Chamber director Ron Anderson and Jurupa Valley council members Laura Roughton and Frank Johnston also attended the meeting. In a memo to Bailey, Rodriguez warned that “this project would eliminate approximately 806 homes in the city of Jurupa Valley, which will affect the local school district and eliminate future customers for businesses …” TMC was also told that the transmission route would cut through land considered prime realestate. Jurupa Valley Councilman Frank Johnston described the meeting as “disappointing, but not surprising.” This is reference to the collaboration with Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey.

Did our fare leader, Mayor William “Rusty” Bailey leave a bad taste in the minds of the leadership of Jurupa Valley? Or could we assume that the tone and atmosphere was such that it reflected ‘fighting words’? With that in mind, are the two cities to embrace in another expensive legal battle? One that the City of Riverside may lose at another enormous cost to the taxpayer? That my friends is left to be seen…

As told by a former councilman, the way they understood it at the time the ‘reliability charge’ was to pay for transmission lines. The reliability charge was to pay for three specific things…but continued to state that it was not to pay for all of those three specific things, but it was to pay for a component of those specific things. Well are you confused already citizens of Riverside, well just ask our neighbors and any of the Councilpeople next door at the City of Jurupa Valley.

If the the City of Riverside’s reliability charge was originally for transmission lines as it was passed by City of Riverside Councilmembers, we should at this time have $150 million in the pot to pay for them cash! But, again we have a but! Even if we had the $150 million available to pay for these transmission lines cash, would it be a violation of Proposition 26, since it appears that the there is no true benefit to the citizens of Riverside? Again, the City Council at the time understood that the reliability charge was for new transmission lines, but currently Dave Wright states it was intended to be used for other purposes. Such as …

One was the debt on the riverside energy resource center, which is four 50 megawatt units near the waste water treatment plant that provide peaking generation, the debt on those 4 units is approximately $200 million.

Also, at that point in time when the reliability charge was put in place we had some low cost coal power contracts that expired and we weren’t legally able to replace them with power that cost as low as that coal, so we had doubling or tripling in the cost of replacement that power.

In addition the riverside transmission reliability project which was our cost of about $150 million, the entire project including all of Edison cost, our portion of that project was $150 million, also will have some debt associated with it. So the amount of the reliability charge revenue each year 20 to 25 million.

The debt on work and dprt on work is about $30 to $35 million and you add to that the cost of replacement energy that may be renewable or other sorts of energy. Another 10 to 15 million.

The annual cost are $50 million, and this is off the top of my head..so I have to go back and get….(we assume the figures).

The reliability charge will cover about half that. So that all was included when we looked at our rate projections, cause we project our cost 10 years. We project the rate increases 10 years. We look at what we can do and the rate freeze.

So folks it appears that the reliability charge that you pay each month is being used by the City of Riverside to pay for debt.

And yes, there will be cost of living type of increases that occur at the end of the rate freeze. There always going to be cost of living type living increases that are required in water, groceries, gasoline and anything else that you purchase. Mr. Wright went on to say that our rates our competitive, our rates are lower than the surrounding service providers, and they are projected to continue to be.

Was the original intention of the reliability charge presentation when brought to council chambers to decieve and misdirect the then council people on the dais? Is this charge to the Riverside residents not really a charge, but a tax? and a direct violation of Proposition 26? Should this issue originally been on the ballot for a vote by the Citizens of Riverside? If it wasn’t, should the Citizen’s of Riverside be entitled to a refund? This of course was not answered by Utilities Director Dave Wright, when the question was raised in public comment. Other questions being asked by Riverside residents are tiered pricing on water and electrical legal? Another good question for a Prop 218 Attorney to answer.

As one of the major property owners affected by the power lines I find Mr. Wright’s comments totally uninformed. Anyone who has dealt with an Edison easement knows they are prohibitively restrictive. SCE grants a license that is revocable and can be altered at any time SCE deems to their benefit. I wonder how many auto dealerships Mr. Wright has discussed my location with, to date he has never even bother to discuss this with me. To be sure this is a totally self serving and condenscending move by the City of Riverside it is obvious they could care less about Jurupa Valley and its residents. – Alan Sharp, Commenter on the PE

Deputy Superintendent of Schools Mike Fine goes over the 16 second mark at public comment and no arrest made. What does Mr. Fine have that Karen Wright doesn’t? Is is it something possibly called ‘access’.

New word of the week and how it was used, coming soon from the following ethics appeal hearing. No folks, it wasn’t “constipation” as someone indicated they thought Davis said. The word, “consternation”, amazement or dismay that hinders or throws into confusion. TMC thanks Councilman Paul Davis for the “big word” of the week.

At the January 15, 2013 Ethics appeal against Chris Mac Arthur, the City Council founded their was no violation of the ethics code. The questions that arose was who is really in charge of Councilman Chris Mac Arthur’s legislative aide Chuck Conder? This now leads us to believe that the Ethic Panel was mislead and misinformed by City Attorney Greg Priamos and City Manager Scott Barber. In another bit of disturbing information, TMC has been told that legislative aide Chuck Conder and City Manager Scott Barber are good friends. We were told “they go way back.” So does Chris Mac Arthur maintain stability with Conder because he has the ‘in’ with Barber? Did this in any way implicate the ethics complaint against Mac Arthur? Or even Bailey? What about the relationship between Councilman Steve Adams and the City Attorney Greg Priamos and City Manager Scott Barber, who have been seen at various water holes having a libation or two, or so forth.. Regardless, why would City Manager Scott Barber see it fit to put the citizen’s and city employees of Riverside at risk? Regardless, it was all about the “bitch” word that was king at this showdown. What else can we say boys will be boys..

But the way City Manager Scott Barber and City Attorney Greg Priamos handled the direction of the December 13, 2012 Ethics Hearing was to misaguide the panel, and therefore their decision. On page 23 of the transcript, Barber states that “these complaints have been investigated and that he had taken whatever action was appropriate.” The part that got me was the “whatever action”, meaning there wasn’t really anything conclusive regarding Barber’ investigation. Then Barber refers to the California State Constitution with reference to privacy rights for public employees, stating that “those rights preclude me from discussing any confidential personnel matters.” One of the incidents referred to a “knife”. The action should have superseded this right and become a police matter, and that never happened. But as indicated Councilman Chris Mac Arthur brought these complaints to the City Manager for review and investigation. But Mr. Mac Arthur, as the employee contract indicates, has the power to teminate via his direction to the City Manager. Therefore, it is appearing that we do have another “dog and poney show” of the original hearing where the activities were orchestrated and designed to produce a favorable end result.

But we all new what would happen this January day, the 22nd and year 2013 when council again possibly misguided by the the City Attorney and City Manager, voted against the alleged accusations against Councilman Chris Mac Arthur.

At extreme difficulty to find out who is really in charge of legislative aid Chuck Conder, via questioning by Councilman Paul Davis and Councilman Andy Melendrez, the following was founded. The City Manager has ultimate ‘hiring’ and ‘firing’ authority, however, City Councilmember’s are in fact in charge of their legislative aide. This appeared to be an uncomfortable and tense situation for Barber, do to his body language and visual blood flushing to his head. Was he having difficulty telling the truth? Now, it appears to TMC that the adjudicating body, who was the Ethics Complaint Panel, was not fully clear about this due to the manipulation of information directly from City Attorney Primos and City Manager Barber, and allegedly was coached before hand as allegedly in the Rusty Bailey ethics complaint. If in fact these alleged incidents occurred, would this change the ultimate purpose of the ethics panels duties?

Chuck didn’t do anything but this is a political move to turn voters against Chris MacArthur. Look most of us know and have seen how it works. Chuck is just to nice and I can contest to pushing someone’s buttoms. The move is on to put a selected group in office and everyone will be used. Mark was used for votes as Bailey didn’t have a shot at getting elected. Mark’s Military service hit the hearts of voters and other tricks by Bailey were used. Mark is a close friend of Art and that put him out. All the fuss about this is just the beginning of what the future holds. We saw Riverside get National coverage as a citizen was handcuffed and removed because she spoke over 3 mins and the new Mayor had his City Attorney order the police to remove the citizen. We have seen many complaints of disrespect and even using kids for p…olitical gain by our new Mayor. Lessons not learned yet by voters is nothing good comes with corrupted elected officials. Lawsuits will continue and the blame will be place on others to protect the guilty. Loyality goes only so far as the bribes and criminal acts take front stage. Bell citizens set back until they stood up to their corrupt elected officials who are now on trial. Riverside has to eiither step up or wait for a Bell results. Citizens of Riverside now have been put on notice they can not speak to truth or ask serious questions. One lady learned that and has a criminal record and it doesn’t matter that the City Attorney broke the laws of a citizens Civil Rights and Constitutional Rights. Many remember the years when Mobesters rule and then convicted elected officals ruled but 2013 history repeats itself. Democracy is lost to this great city and we have to work together to get it back. – Jackie Rawlings, Commenter on the Press Enterprise

But it appeared to be an all out war against the contender Dvonne Pitruzzello by Counciman Steve Adams. Why’ll Adams asked Pitruzzello if she actually witnessed. At one point, Ms. Pitruzzello even addressed Adams as ‘sweetheart.’ But Adams contued to insist if Pitruzzello was witness to this knife wielding episode by Conder. Her attempt to state that she was witness to Conder using his finger in a vulgar way was squashed.

At the end of this ordeal, Councilman Adams walked by Pitruzzello from the dais while intentionally directing a dastardly smirk toward her. What was Adams trying to inadvertently tell Ms. Pitruzzello?

Was it to say something insidious about the confrontation, prompting a valid evaluation and questioning of the whole council ordeal? Dvonne Pitruzzello made it known that the ethics appeal process regarding Councilman Chris Mac Arthur was a “dog and pony show.” The heated exchange went something as this.

Adams: I have only one question for the appellant. Do you have any first hand knowledge of the incident?

Dvonne: Which one?

Adams: The one with which you are filing the complaint, and now the appeal?

Pritruzzello: I filed the complaint on three incidents.

Adams: Did you see the incident of which there was an accusation of something with the knife that was unfounded. Do you have first hand knowledge..

Pitruzzello: No, but I was flipped off at a city council meeting.

Adams: No, do you have first hand knowledge, let’s stick with one question at a time.

Pitruzzello: But that’s not what we are debating.

Adams: Yes it is..

Pitruzzello: No it’s not. We are debating if it should be appealed or not.

Adams: I’m trying to find out if you have first hand knowledge.

Pitruzzello: We are debating if it should be appealed or not.

Adams continued to badger Pitruzzello to answer a question unrelated to the actual appeal process. Down the road Councilman Adams stated:

Adams: If an event never happened, everything after that no longer exist. It doesn’t count. So my question is, do you have first hand knowledge were you there were you present, do you understand what you saw was to be true as to what was the accusation against Mr. Conder.

Pitruzzello: Sweetheart you are not listening.

Adams: No I’m listening..the answer is yes you saw or no you didn’t?

Did Councilman Adams really understand the appeal process at hand? It appeared he didn’t according to City Attorney and Pitruzzello, but maintained he did. But he continued to ‘bully’ his unrelated questioning toward Pitruzzello, when the legal issue was the ‘appeal process.’ It appeared when creviced into a corner whereby he could not rationally respond to the issue at hand, he abruptly motioned to dismiss the appeal. As Mayor Bailey mentioned in purpetouity at his State of the City speech, “the Riverside Way”? Again, Adams is one who has been seen at local watering holes with Priamos and Barber. Barber, of course, good friends and buddies with Conder. Can we consider some incestious favoritism and to the extent of cronyism in this situation? We have yet to revisit Bailey’s ethics complaint that was brought by Self Appointed Citizen Auditor Vivian Moreno.

Incidently, Mayor Bailey’s legislative aide Mark Earley, who was incidently ‘let go’, and Councilman’s Mac Arthur’s legislative aide Chuck Conder did not appear at the Council hearing. Regardless, an OSHA investigation of the knife wielding incident is still ongoing.

What TMC believes to be true was that the adjudicating body was deceived and manipulated in their decision by City Attorney Greg Priamos and City Mananger Scott Barber. Intentionally? The question is what is the true purpose of the ethics panel when they are not allowed to actually have direct witnesses?

Self Appointed Citizen Auditor went on to say the following about the complaint at public comment:

Chuck Conder called Raychele Sterling and myself Stupid Bitches. He flipped Dvonne off when you were sitting here. For you Chris Mac Arthure to condone this behavior from your personal employee of yours is a reflection of who you are. WEAK, IGNORANT, or Just plain STUPID. The Lying, the cheating and the stealing that goes on here at City hall on a regular basis is criminal.

Every single one of you know that all these situation occured. Every single one of you knows Scott Barber Riverside City Manager, lied to OSHA. over this situation. He should be fired for putting the Staff, Public and Council in harms way.

A question. Why would your City Manager Scott Barber feel the need to lie to OSHA? If there is any work place violence that happens at City Hall you the council sitting here are to blame because you know of the situation. Maybe its because CHUCKIE and BARBER go way back and Scott Barber will support his buddies no matter what they do.

This is merely an excercise in Paper Trailing so when some one comes here AGAIN and we have a political occurance of Gun Violence We know whom will be to blame All of you.

You guys know what you do, and you all know what goes on at City Hall We know what your doing. And now Chuckie wants to be a councilman! Scott Barber you deserve him!

All of you here today are representive of Chuck Condor. This is what happened: Chuck Conder pulled a knife on Colonel Mark Early and you Fired Mark Early. Chuck Conder called Raychele Sterling and myself Stupid Bitches and we notified Chris Mac Arthur imediately. Chuck Conder flipped Dvonne Pitruzello off right here in Council Chambers and you did nothing.

So now you can do what Council things you do. And you try to let this just die but it’s not.. and this is just another example of who you all are. WEAK, IGNORANT and Just Plain STUPID.

“Dog and pony show” is a colloquial term which has come to mean a highly promoted, often over-staged performance, presentation, or event designed to sway or convince opinion for political, or less often, commercial ends. Typically, the term is used in a pejorative sense to connote disdain, jocular lack of appreciation, or distrust of the message being presented or the efforts undertaken to present it.

THE LIE HAS BEEN EXPOSED AND THE ADJUDICATING BODY MISINFORMED? SO NOW WHAT? WILL THE COUNCIL NOW HAVE THE GUMPTION TO TAKE ACTION?

Rumor is that the some of the panel was made by the very same people that heard the Bailey ethics complaint, this was because some of the original panel members refused, because they did not want to be a part of this decision making pane hearing a complaint against Councilman Chris Mac Arthur. Barber continues to lie and supterfuge the councilmembers on the dais. Councilmember Davis continually had to repeat the question as to whom is really responsible for their legislative assistant. The question as to who is directly responsible for the behavior of their legislative assistants is the councilmember. The councilmember also has the termination authority via their direction to the City Manager.

At the beginning of the hearing Mayor Bailey made it be known that no new evidence would be considered, and if it was could not be considered. Councilmember Adams asked the question twice thereafter during the proceeding if any new evidence came in. He was corrected by Priamos twice as there wasn’t.

What appears to be true and apparent was that Mr. Barber and Mr. Priamos led the adjudicating body to believe that Mr. Barber was directly responsible for the behavior of the legislative assistant. Further, Mr. Mac Arthur is directly responsible for the behavior of his legislative assistant and he has the ability to fire or terminate his legislative assistant at anytime, under his direction to the City Manager. This, all per City of Riverside’s employment contract.

NEW FORMAT FOR THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT: BETTER? OR LESS TRANSPARENT?

Has the new monthly report format been changed to give the illusion of financial stability for the City of Riverside? In the new report we have sections which appear not to be ‘actual’ but a ‘forecast’, such as the general fund budget forecast, general fund revenue forecast and general fund expenditure forecast.

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Old version as indicated above, one could simply see what’s in the general fund for that particular month, as opposed to the new formatted version. New formatted monthly investment report removes the “Pooled Cash and Investment By Fund” section and replaced with “Forcast” reports. Such as General Fund Budget Forcast Report, General Fund Revenue Forecast Report and General Fund Expediture Forcast Report. The third pic shows Mayor’s Bailey office was overbudgeted by over $100,000.00, was this to pay for the new teleprompter that he used at the State of the City address? Well anyway, the new format was signed off by Chief Financial Officer Brent Mason.

Brent Mason, CFO Sorry… Brent Mason, CFO

CDBG MONIES USED FOR INCUBATOR COMPANIES, ONE OF WHICH WENT DEBUNK.. Giving Federal CDBG monies to incubator companies, is that legal? Even though many at public comment asked that it be removed from the consent calender for more discussion, City Council unanimously voted on it. Even Councilman Paul Davis and Councilman Andy Melendrez who appeared most concerned about and questioned the funds use voted on it. This was item #16 on the Consent Calender for January 22, 2013. CDBG funding requires citizen participation, nowhere found on the document. So, what our CDBG funds and what should they actually be allocated for? Well, let’s start with the following.

Community Development Block Grant Program – CDBG: The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD. The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis to 1209 general units of local government and States.

About the Program: The CDBG program works to ensure decent affordable housing, to provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities, and to create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses. CDBG is an important tool for helping local governments tackle serious challenges facing their communities. The CDBG program has made a difference in the lives of millions of people and their communities across the Nation.

Citizen Participation: A grantee must develop and follow a detailed plan that provides for and encourages citizen participation. This integral process emphasizes participation by persons of low or moderate income, particularly residents of predominantly low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, slum or blighted areas, and areas in which the grantee proposes to use CDBG funds. The plan must provide citizens with the following: reasonable and timely access to local meetings; an opportunity to review proposed activities and program performance; provide for timely written answers to written complaints and grievances; and identify how the needs of non-English speaking residents will be met in the case of public hearings where a significant number of non-English speaking residents can be reasonably expected to participate.

LET’S NOT MENTION THE CITY TREES THAT TAXPAYERS HAVE PAID INTO AND ARE NOT MAINTAINED. LAST YEAR RESIDENTS SAW THIS IN WARD 1 AS A RESULT OF UNMAINTAINED CITY TREES. OF COURSE THE CITY IS QUICK TO TERRORIZE THE CITIZENS BY CITATIONS AGAINST WOOD STREET RESIDENTS. WELL COUNCILMAN GARDNER ISN’T THIS YOUR BLOCK? WHAT ABOUT ALL THE UNCUT TREES AND EXORBITANT AMOUNTS OF FALLEN PALM FRAWNS, THAT INCIDENTLY, MOST RESIDENTS TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES. STREET SWEEPER’S DON’T, RESIDENTS DO, AND THE DON’T APPRECIATE THE TICKETS THAT CODE GIVES TO THESE RESIDENTS WHEN THEY FORGET TO MOVE THEIR VEHICLES. WHAT’S MORE EMBARASSING IS WHEN THEY HAVE FRIENDS, RELATIVES, LANDSCAPING OR REPAIR PEOPLE OVER WHICH RECIEVE CITY TICKETS. WHAT NOW COUNCILMAN MIKE GARDNER? IS IT WORTH THE EXTRA $40 BUCKS TO LOSE THE SUPPORT OF A CONSTITUENT?

“Recent actions taken by Riverside authorities confirm my suspicion that there are two set of rules by which Riverside residents should be expected to live by, or face the repercussions by local authorities via the Riverside Police Department, the District Attorney’s office, and City Hall Officials. “The de-valuation of a Riverside citizens life and of their pets. “An RPD officer can go into your backyard while you are not home and shoot your dog dead under the premise that the officer was in the act of performing their duties and was allegedly in fear for their own life after the officer had put themselves in that position. “Can not Riverside residents keep a guard dog in their gated yard to protect their home without the risk of coming home and being told that their beloved pet has been shot to death by the RPD ?

“The fact that Riverside police chief Sergio Diaz says that there is nothing wrong with the RPD current policies and procedures regarding the tragic death of a Casa Blanca resident is irresponsible, and further endangers the lives of both Riverside police officers and residents. Imagine Jerry Carroll saying this comment after four white officers had shot 19 year old black teenager Tyisha Miller in
1999.

“I do not blame the officer in the Casa Blanca incident, I blame the policy and procedure of allowing officers to drive while using a computer. Many police agencies do not allow this for obvious reasons.

“I would bet my life on this… God forbid if this 7 year old girl had been Mayor Bailey’s daughter, the man would not have been free to walk away after running them down regardless of the reasoning behind it. Someone would have hell to pay for this I can tell you that much. The man would have been arrested and charged with a minimum manslaughter charge if not more.

“Two different rules to live by and the de-valuation of the life of a Riverside resident when it involves Riverside authorities and their employees.

UPDATE: 02.03.2013: ACCORDING TO THE PRESS ENTERPRISE PARKING CONTROL REPRESENTATIVE JOE WILLIAMS WOULD BLACK OUT AT WORK! If Mr. Williams has had a history of black outs with reference to a seizure condition, why would he be driving? Why wouldn’t those close to him family, friends, employees and employer allow him to drive a vehicle, knowing his condition of periodically experiencing black outs? When on the job does he, as an employee, drive a city vehicle or a operates a segway? He has been prescribed seizure medication, and many times these medications will indicate not to drive or operate heavy machinery. Does he take his medication daily as indicated? Did his physcian counsel him that he shouldn’t drive? Did he knowingly not tell DMV of his condition? Would the two victims be alive today if someone had done the right thing? The below reports documentation to two incidents which occurred why in the employment of the City of Riverside.

RIVERSIDE’S OWN FIVE BEFORE MIDNIGHT BLOGGER MARY SHELTON BREAKS HER SHOULDER IN A FALL ON A CITY CURVE. Her surgery on Tuesday the 29th exposed what was seen as a shoulder bone which was badly crushed to the point of no repair. Her shoulder bone was rebuilt with the use of a prosthetic titanium insertion which will replace the bone lost as seen in the x-ray.

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Mary thanks all of those who emailed her with good wishes and of their concerns for a speedy recovery which includes Councilmembers Steve Adams, Paul Davis, Mike Gardner; Director of Public Works Tom Boyd and City Manager Scott Barber. Shelton is to be awarded the 2013 Bill Howe Award for Police Accountability by the Riverside Coalition for Police Accountability on Monday 11th at the Community Settlement Association, 4366 Bermuda Avenue, Riverside, CA , 92507, 6:30pm-8:00pm. RPD Lt. Valmont Graham will also be awarded the 2013 Bill Howe Award for Police Accountability. Free and Open the Public.

AGAIN, FOR YOUR SAFETY, IF IN RIVERSIDE PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR CITY OFFICIALS IN WEAVING CARS! WE ARE TOLD THERE MAY STILL BE TWO SETS OF STANDARDS! BUT OF COURSE THAT IS A QUESTION FOR THE EXPERT ON SURFING ON A LAPTAP WHILE DRIVING,

COMPUTER WHIZ CHIEF NACHO CHEESE SERGIO DIAZ, WHO MAINTAINS IT CAN STILL BE DONE, IF YOU’RE A POLICE OFFICER.

UPDATE: 02.05.2013: THE THIRD ANNUAL RUSS LEACH SUPERBOWL MEMORIAL WEEKEND EXTRAVAGANZA CLAIMS ANOTHER. RPD LT. LARRY GONZALEZ ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF DUI AFTER RUNNING INTO A MAILBOX AND A RETAINING WALL IN AN UNMARKED CITY VEHICLE AROUND 2:00 AM IN THE MORNING.All were at at retirement party for the retiring Lt. Chris Manning. It was also indicated that the Police Chief Sergio Diaz was attendance among a who’s who of others. Mayor Rusty Bailey who left the pow pow at around 9:00pm, stated that “He (Lt. Larry Gonzalez) was sober when he left”, according the PE. That folks was from the mouth of independent voice himself. But others at the party indicate a different story regarding Gonzalez’s alleged sobriety, and why didn’t others there step up to the plate to give the Lt. a ride home? Lt. Gonazales was not sober from those in attendance unlike the Mayor Bailey’s statement to the press. Not a good start for Mayor’s Bailey first months in office whereby his statements have more contradiction than truth. What about the other’s who made it home that very night without incident of hitting a block wall or even a pedestrian? What will the outcome be? Will Lt. Gonzalez DUI have a favorable outcome in the court system, or is this truly a visual formality? Will Lt. Gonzalez be made to be an example, regardless of the other officers before him who didn’t make the press?

IS THE CITY THAT BROKE, WHY IS THE CITY TICKETING VEHICLES IN THIS PRIVATE MALL? PIC SUBMITTED TO TMC OF A CITY EMPLOYEE TICKETING THE BLACK VEHICLE NEXT TO IT IN THE RALPH’S SHOPPING CENTER ON MAGNOLIA AND JURUPA.

RIVERSIDE FORGOTTEN..

THE BACKSTRAND BUILDING, MARCH 27, 1940, ON SIXTH AND MAIN

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO ACLU. RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… WE WILL HAVE TO ASK GREGORY ABOUT THAT ONE ( OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT HIS PEOPLE)… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS! EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR FOR CONTACT! THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM